By McCarton Ackerman, USOpen.org
Bud Collins has been recognized as one of the most knowledgeable tennis journalists and historians for more than 50 years. Now his contributions to the sport will forever be remembered as the USTA renames the press center at the US Open in his honor.
The press center will officially be named the “Bud Collins US Open Media Center,” a decision that was unanimously approved earlier this year by the USTA Board of Directors. A special plaque featuring Collins will be unveiled during a special on-site ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6. He is expected to attend with his wife, Anita, and other family members.
“Few people have contributed as much to the sport of tennis as Bud has,” said Katrina Adams, USTA President and US Open Chairwoman. “He is a special person, a friend and mentor to many in the industry, and one who has spread his passion for the sport in so many ways. The span of his career is breathtaking, and we are privileged to name our media center in his honor.”
Collins first began writing a tennis column for the Boston Globe in 1963, eventually joining WGBH-TV for its national tennis broadcasts. He went on the join NBC Sports and become the iconic face of “Breakfast at Wimbledon” for 35 years. Collins has also written eight books on the history of tennis, including the encyclopedia "Bud Collins: History of Tennis." He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.
In addition to covering the sport, Collins was also a top-level amateur player. He won the U.S. Indoor Mixed Doubles Championship in 1961 with Janet Hopps and reached the final of the French Open Senior Doubles event in 1975.
The 2015 US Open runs Aug. 31-Sept. 13.