Bankrolling a dream

Businessman moonlights as benefactor for young American

NEW YORK -- When Alex Bogomolov Jr. played Ramon Delgado of Paraguay in a pogo stick of a first-round match the other day, he had a particularly ardent courtside supporter. When Bogomolov, an American prospect who just turned 19, lost the first set, Jeff Himmel remained full of positive encouragement. When Bogey jumped to a 2-1 sets lead, Himmel was ecstatic. When Delgado came back to win the match in five grueling sets, Himmel looked every bit as dispirited and exhausted as Bogomolov. "Tough match," said Himmel, his face etched in disappointment. "Way to fight, kid."

Himmel isn't just emotionally invested in Bogomolov; he's financially invested as well. Himmel, 48, is the founder of Himmel Equities, a New York firm that revives brands like Ovaltine and Breck shampoo. Beyond that, he's a tennis addict in need of a 12-step program. He took up the game five years ago and now plays the equivalent of college-level tennis. He has built not one but two courts -- one clay and one hard court -- at his pad in the Hamptons.

Through his various tennis connections, Himmel met Francisco Montana Jr., a former pro player whose family runs a club in South Florida. Himmel and Montana hit it off to the point that the New Yorker became the godfather of Montana's child. Eventually, Himmel came across a scrawny, scrappy kid from Russia who was giving lessons at Montana's club. The kid feeding balls had won the prestigious Kalamazoo junior event months earlier, beating no less than Andy Roddick in the final. Himmel saw immediately that what the kid lacked in stature, he made up for in heart and hustle. Lleyton Hewitt with a Russian accent was an apt comparison. The overqualified teaching pro was only 17, but a pro career wasn't a reality. "I watched him play and it was obvious to me that the only thing separating this kid from his dream was resources," said Himmel. "Without the resources, he was going to be giving lessons for the rest of his life."

Himmel met Bogomolov personally, learned the story of his leaving Russia to come to the U.S. to try to make it as a tennis player, and was moved to action. He agreed to be Bogomolov's sponsor, providing upward of $100,000 a year to cover the costs of being a novice pro. The money didn't just go toward travel, equipment and lodging expenses; Himmel arranged for Montana to be Bogomolov's full-time coach. He also interviewed management groups on behalf of Bogomolov, eventually tapping Max Eisenbud of IMG as Bogomolov's agent. What's more, Himmel is available 24/7 to provide emotional support for Bogomolov, who does not have a close relationship with his father back in Russia. "Really," said Bogomolov, "for all he does for me, [the money] is only a small part of it."

"If this were a guy with top-200 potential, I wouldn't have done it," Himmel said of Bogomolov, currently ranked No. 236. "But I saw a guy with top-50 potential. You hear too many stories about guys who have the potential but not the money. Then they get in a situation where they say, 'I have to win this match or I can't pay the bills.' I don't want Alex to have to play with that pressure."

Bogomolov isn't the only player Himmel supports. Another Eisenbud client, Corina Morariu, caught Himmel's attention. When Morariu embarked on her comeback from leukemia, Himmel contacted her about a modest endorsement deal with Breck. ("First, Corina is coming back, and Breck as a brand is, too," he said. "Also, Corina has great hair.") When Morariu took the court against Serena Williams Monday night, keen observers may have noticed the Breck patch on her dress. As part of the deal, Himmel contributes to the charity of Morariu's choice, $250 for every match she wins and $50 for each ace she hits.

If Bogomolov makes it to the top 50, as Himmel predicts, he'll make a fair living, well into six figures. But his Miss Havisham won't be asking for a repayment on his beneficence. "Honestly, I'm just a huge tennis fan who wants to help a kid with a dream," said Himmel. "If Alex didn't need my assistance anymore, I would be thrilled."

Half volleys

You love women's tennis, I love women's tennis, we all love women's tennis. But can we please stop with the notion that the field is deeper than ever? Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati, the top three seeds, have dropped a grand total of one game -- combined -- in their most recent matches. Compare this to the men. While top-seeded Hewitt cruised Tuesday, No. 2 Marat Safin needed a fifth-set tiebreaker Tuesday night and No. 3 Tommy Haas was pushed to 7-5 in the fifth on Wednesday. ... Speaking of Haas, his match was interrupted when it was revealed that his sleeveless (kind of) shirt was deemed to be in violation of the dress code. Roughly a half hour before Haas was ordered to change clothes mid-match, Serena Williams was waltzing off the court in a lycra catsuit. ... Two mini-upsets on the women's side. No. 5 Jelena Dokic, who's been playing on fumes for weeks, fell in straight sets to talented Elena Bovina. (No word from Chanda Rubin if Dokic "semi-tanked.") Also, the struggles of No. 12 Elena Dementieva continued as the 2000 semifinalist was ousted by Francesca Schiavone. ... Dick Norman, who had quit pro tennis and was teaching at a club in the Low Country a year ago, reached the second round by beating Bohdan Ulihrach. ... Mark Philippoussis had to retire Tuesday from his match against Sjeng Schalken when he came down awkwardly on his left knee. The good news: An MRI revealed a hyperextension that will not require surgery. ... More good news, from our friends at the Tennis Channel: Andre Agassi has signed on in a variety of roles. Also, sources say that the announcement of a significant deal with the WTA Tour is forthcoming. ... Media darling Pete Sampras on the outfits worn by the women: "Pretty revealing. You see all the curves."

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim is covering the U.S. Open for CNNSI.com. Check back each evening to read his daily reports, and click here to send a question to his Tennis Mailbag.

 

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