Bud Collins dies aged 86

[britbox]

Legendary tennis journalist and historian Bud Collins has passed away aged 86.

Stan Smith, International Tennis Hall of Fame president: "Bud made such a huge impact on our sport because he was one of the most knowledgeable people in tennis and he was so committed to always learning more about the sport and its characters. By combining his knowledge with his one-of-a-kind color, he really made the game fun and interesting for the fans and the players. He was responsible for growing interest in our sport tremendously.

More at:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/tennis-world-pays-tribute-to-bud-collins

 

[Billie]

I liked his commentary about tennis and off court stuff that he covered. Rest in peace, Bud.

 

[Moxie]

I heard this earlier today and it made me sad. Bud was such a character, and hugely influential in broadcasting for tennis. I think everyone loved him. Last year at the USO they named the media center at the BJK Tennis Center for him, which he came down from Boston for, though he'd been in failing health the last couple of years. RIP Bud. Heaven will be a little brighter with those crazy pants of his.

 

[masterclass]

Bud Collins, the voice of tennis for many years, was maybe the tennis icon for a long time. His knowledge of tennis history was probably unsurpassed.
He usually wasn't afraid of telling things as they were. He was colorful, not only in his taste in clothes.

A keen observer, with his own stance on his subjects, even if I or many didn't agree with some, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He had integrity.

He enjoyed travel perhaps even more than tennis, partaking in different culture's culinary delights, photography of exotic and colorful places was the icing or gravy on top for his memories.

His senses and style recorded events, people, and places and he was able to turn the facts and commonplace into stories that made one want to be there.

Bud Collins, Columnist, Journalist, Commentator, a Story-Teller in the oldest sense.

Requiescat In Pace, and condolences to his surviving family.

Most humbly and respectfully,
masterclass

 

[britbox]

Nice obit. @masterclass.

Here's a little feature on Bud from a couple of years ago.

 

[Moxie]

That was lovely, masterclass. You almost had the dedication on the plaque at the BJK media center which reads: "Journalist, Commentator, Historian, Mentor, Friend." In his Encyclopedia of Tennis, he opened with this: "Either the ball goes over the net, or it doesn't....For some degenerates, tennis is a way of life, even a religion." For those of us who participate on tennis boards, we should nod to the simplicity of the former, and the truth of the latter.

 

[Vince Evert]

Very sad to hear he has died, aged 86, after a long illness. To me Bud Collins added to, and brought a lot of joy and fun in tennis. Here's one of the Wimbledon courtside interviews with The King and John McEnroe after the famed 1980 finale done for US television.

 

[britbox]

Nice find @Robert Zimmerman - enjoyed that. Kind of illustrates the respect they both had for Bud... who incidentally looked around 86 for about 40 years, he never seemed to change.

If you have any more share them! Bud was a legend.

 

[Vince Evert]

Sure I do. I uploaded some of these on YT over a year ago. Bud's courtside interviews on US television are especially unique outside of the US.

 

[britbox]

Sure I do. I uploaded some of these on YT over a year ago. Bud's courtside interviews on US television are especially unique outside of the US.

Fire them up mate, and we'll have a great thread to revisit for the archives... and welcome to the boards

 

[Vince Evert]

Thanks britbox for bringing the site to my attention . Happy to join. Well the Bud interviews I uploaded were mainly after the Wimbly finals. Luckily they were all accepted. However I'll post this 1978 Bud interview with John McEnroe. Awesome find trust me LOL -

 

[britbox]

Enjoying this @Robert Zimmerman as I'm sure other posters who enjoy tennis history and nostalgia will too. @shawnbm @masterclass @EdbergsGhost @Mog @ClayDeath @MargaretMcAleer @JesuslookslikeBorg

Good stuff mate.

 

[Moxie]

These are great! Thanks @Robert Zimmerman and welcome to the forum. Add more, if you have them.

 

[Bert]

Great ! Thanks for sharing !

 

[Vince Evert]

Thanks guys. It's a pleasure to be here. If you look up tenniscollector on You Tube, you should find about 6-7 Wimbly interviews I uploaded featuring Bud Collins and the players (mostly 1980's) about a year ago.

 

[Vince Evert]

This one from the Ladies final 1993 is right up there.

 

[britbox]

The Novotna part of the interview shows Bud's bedside manner at it's best. That was arguably the biggest choke of all time.

 

[Vince Evert]

Yes it was. Amongst the men, I'd say Mikeal Pernfors once led Jimmy Connors 6-1,6-1,4-1, and choked badly before losing to 34 year old warrior in the 1987 Wimbly R16.

 

[britbox]

Yes it was. Amongst the men, I'd say Mikeal Pernfors once led Jimmy Connors 6-1,6-1,4-1, and choked badly before losing to 34 year old warrior in the 1987 Wimbly R16.

Remember that one, as I generally rooted for the Swedes and followed Edberg, Nystrom and Pernfors... but I got locked into to Jimmy's comeback, as did the crowd and ended up enjoying seeing him win.

 

[Moxie]

Those were really enjoyable and fascinating to revisit. @Robert Zimmerman: don't be too shy to put up more if you got 'em. Thanks again!