“ Bud often said that he had never worked for a living . He felt privileged to have had a career that included ‘ the babbling and the scribbling ’ about a subject he dearly loved .”
sweet auburn | 2023 volume i
“ Bud often said that he had never worked for a living . He felt privileged to have had a career that included ‘ the babbling and the scribbling ’ about a subject he dearly loved .”
Bud ’ s friendly demeanor , generosity of spirit and sartorial splendor won him numerous friends and admirers during his career . His colorful ties and boldly patterned pants , custommade from fabrics purchased in his travels around the world , were made for him at the Andover Shop by tailor Charlie Davidson in Harvard Square .
Among countless awards , Bud was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994 , he won the prestigious Red Smith Award in 1999 , was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2019 .
Although Bud often described himself as a tennis “ hacker ,” he knew how to play the game . He won the U . S . indoor mixeddoubles championship with Janet Hopps in 1961 . He was also a finalist , with Bostonian Jack Crawford , in the French senior doubles in 1975 . One of his partners was Luciano Pavarotti , who loved tennis as Bud loved opera ; when in the same city , they exchanged tickets . During a practice session at Wimbledon , Andre Agassi asked if Bud had ever held a racquet . Bud served a wicked sliced ball , Andre got it back , but Bud was at the net and put the return away with a perfect volley . Bud authored several books and tennis encyclopedias , including My Life with the Pros ( 1989 ), The Modern Encyclopedia of Tennis , Total Tennis , and Bud Collins , Tennis Encyclopedia . The media center at the U . S . Open Tennis Center was named in his honor , in 2015 .
Bud often said that he had never worked for a living . He felt privileged to have had a career that included “ the babbling and the scribbling ” about a subject he dearly loved . He was very proud of attracting listeners outside the rarified world of tennis aficionados : one evening at a production of Death of a Salesman in Boston , he exchanged compliments with Arthur Miller .
Bud met his wife , Anita Ruthling Klaussen ( pictured left with Bud ) through mutual friends . They enjoyed 25 years of marriage , traveling together 80 % of the time until Bud ’ s illness . When they weren ’ t on the road , they often enjoyed long walks at Mount Auburn Cemetery . Anita takes solace in the location of Bud ’ s grave on Azalea Path near the calm , reflective waters of Willow Pond .
Do you have a story of a loved one that you would like to share with us ? Send them to Friends @ mountauburn . org for potential inclusion in a future issue .
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