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USTA to rename press center to honor Collins

August 5, 2015

White Plains, N.Y. – The USTA today announced that the press center at the US Open will be officially named the “Bud Collins US Open Media Center,” to honor the noted tennis journalist and historian. The concept was approved unanimously by the USTA Board of Directors earlier this year.

The press center servicing the US Open is located on the ground level of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. A plaque featuring the Tennis Hall of Famer will be unveiled at a special ceremony on Sunday, September 6, in the West Media Room. Collins, his wife Anita, and other members of their family are expected to attend the event. More than 1,000 journalists from more than 60 countries annually cover the US Open, making the tournament one of the top sports media destinations in the world.

“Few people have contributed as much to the sport of tennis as Bud has,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “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.”

Though best known for his long-standing tennis column in the Boston Globe, which he started writing in 1963; Collins’ career has touched nearly all major journalistic outlets across seven decades. He became one of the first print reporters to become a sports television announcer when he joined WGBH-TV for its national tennis broadcasts, and his work in television reached its pinnacle when he joined NBC Sports, where he was the face of “Breakfast at Wimbledon” for 35 years. He is considered tennis’ pre-eminent historian and is the author of eight books, including Bud Collins: History of Tennis.

A recipient of numerous honors and awards, Collins was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in July 1994. In addition to reporting on the sport, Collins was a fine competitive tennis player who won the U.S. Indoor Mixed Doubles Championship in 1961 with Janet Hopps and reached the final of the French Open Senior Doubles in 1975.

This year’s US Open is scheduled from August 31 through September 13, with the US Open Qualifying Tournament beginning on August 25.