Bud Collins’ wife Anita Ruthling Klaussen;
Katrina Adams, USTA President; and (kneeling) former tennis star Rosie Casals celebrate Collins at the US Open in September 2015. (Willie Weinbaum/ESPN)
Today the tennis community was saddened by the news of the passing of Bud Collins, the pioneering journalist ubiquitous at the sport’s major events for 50 years writing for The Boston Globe.
Simultaneously, he appeared in coverage on PBS, CBS, NBC and in the 2000s on ESPN, helping to broaden the popularity of the sport he had played, had coached and loved.
He blazed a now well-worn path, making the transition from print to television – though Collins never left his typewriter behind. Beloved and respected by all, he was as synonymous with outlandishly colorful outfits featuring specially made pants as much as he was for the clever nicknames he coined for players.
Several of his ESPN colleagues shared their thoughts on social media.
Integrity, passion, intelligence,wit,compassion…. Friend… I, like many, will miss you terribly…RIP Bud Collins
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) March 4, 2016
How much did @budcollins mean to tennis, journalism, television, and PEOPLE???
He's currently the top trend on @Twitter
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) March 4, 2016
#BudCollins an original great American who fell in love with tennis. Lucky us!! RIP Bud xo Lutherville Legend
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) March 4, 2016
Bud Collins @ChrissieEvert what a once in a lifetime man!! pic.twitter.com/1xku1OZYOK
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) March 4, 2016
2/2 I'll never forget breakfasts with Bud: wonderful baptism at my first grand slam covered many years ago. Tennis will miss him dearly.
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) March 4, 2016
Fortunate, grateful for many hrs listening to/learning from #BudCollins. Gentleman. True original w/unmatched passion for tennis history.
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) March 4, 2016
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