James Joseph Thomas (born September 24, 1974) is an American politician and former professional tennis player serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 49th district since 2023.
As a tennis player, Thomas' highest ATP world singles ranking was 288, which he reached on November 2, 1998. His career high in doubles was at 29, set on August 21, 2006. He retired following the 2008 season. Thomas was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party in the 2022 Ohio House of Representatives election.
Biography Thomas was born on September 24, 1974 in Canton, Ohio, the youngest of six children. He began playing tennis at age 3 and his favorite players growing up included John McEnroe and Boris Becker. Thomas earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies from Stanford University in 1996. At Stanford, Thomas was a member of the tennis team where he earned All-American honors during his senior year and was a member of NCAA team champions in 1995–96.
Thomas's career-best effort at a Grand Slam was the 2005 US Open where he and Paul Goldstein made the semi-finals. He has 6 doubles ATP titles and 14 doubles Challenger titles to his name. He recorded doubles wins over Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin, the Bryan brothers and Pat Rafter among others, in his career.
Thomas received his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2013 and worked in business. He was a member of the board of trustees of Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio from 2020 to 2022.
ATP career finals
Doubles:13 (6–7) Finals by surfaceHard (2–6)Grass (3–0)Clay (1–1)Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreLoss0–1Nov 2000Brighton, EnglandHard (i) Paul Goldstein Michael Hill Jeff Tarango3–6, 5–7Win1–1Jan 2001Auckland, New ZealandHard Marius Barnard David Adams Martín García7–6(12–10), 6–4Loss1–2Apr 2001Houston, United StatesClay Kevin Kim Mahesh Bhupathi Leander Paes6–7(4–7), 2–6Loss1–3Sep 2001Tashkent, UzbekistanHard Marius Barnard Julien Boutter Dominik Hrbatý4–6, 6–3, [11–13]Win2–3Jul 2004Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Grégory Carraz Nicolas Mahut6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–3Win3–3Jul 2004Indianapolis, United StatesHard Jordan Kerr Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–3), 6–3Loss3–4Jan 2005Delray Beach, United StatesHard Jordan Kerr Simon Aspelin Todd Perry3–6, 3–6Win4–4Jul 2005Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Graydon Oliver Travis Parrott7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–5)Loss4–5Feb 2006San Jose, United StatesHard (i) Paul Goldstein Jonas Björkman John McEnroe6–7(2–7), 6–4, [7–10]Win5–5May 2006Pörtschach, AustriaClay Paul Hanley Oliver Marach Cyril Suk6–3, 4–6, [10–5]Loss5–6Jul 2006Indianapolis, United StatesHard Paul Goldstein Bobby Reynolds Andy Roddick4–6, 4–6Loss6–6Oct 2006Tokyo, JapanHard Paul Goldstein Ashley Fisher Tripp Phillips2–6, 5–7Win7–6Jul 2007Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Nathan Healey Igor Kunitsyn6–3, 7–5
References
External links
Official Jim Thomas Website: http://jimthomas11.tripod.com Page at the Ohio State House