A veteran of sports broadcasting is calling end to his career.
Cliff Drysdale, the voice of ESPN’s tennis coverage and the longest serving announcer at the company, had to wipe away tears following an emotional tribute as he prepares to retire.
Cliff Drysdale couldn’t hide his emotions when the tributes started pouring in for him@ESPNPressDrysdale and ESPN are synonymous since the 84-year-old joined ESPN in 1979, the same year the company was launched.
Ever since the South African-born broadcaster has travelled the world to covering tennis from the biggest tournaments in the world, including Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the French Open.
ESPN pay tribute to Cliff Drysdale
After 46 years of service, the 2025 US Open will be Drysdale’s final tournament but his fellow analysts were not going to let him go without a proper farewell.
A heartfelt tribute included an eight minute long-video of former tennis players and other broadcasters all hailing the former ATP president who reached the US Open final in 1965.
As the tournament at Flushing Meadows draws to a close, following tears from Taylor Townsend after a heartbreaking defeat and Coco Gauff’s showing her emotions, Drysdale also had to be given tissues as he also became emotional.
He then shared a few touching words of thanks.
“I thought that the guys would put something nice together,” Drysdale began.
“Never thought it would be anything that elaborate and somebody went to a lot of trouble to put that together, Chris and…. I, I really appreciate it,” he said.
“It’s been a long, long road, but it has been a smooth road. I have always had the full respect of everybody in our company.
“I have felt the love of everybody around this table and all those that are not around this table as well.”
The tears were coming down all segment long Drysdale is the longest serving commentator at ESPNGETTY“Nobody has disrespected or not given me everything that they have from the beginning. It continues to this day.
“I don’t know where I’m going with this other than to say that my great friend, Jack Nicklaus, to put his voice on that is something that is really special.”
Following the retirement of Bob Ley in 2019, Drysdale has enjoyed the title of ESPN’s longest serving commentator.
In 1998, the United States Tennis Association awarded Drysdale the William M. Johnston award for his contribution to men’s tennis.
And in 2013, he was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Before being a broadcaster, Drysdale was an elite tennis player
Drysdale is a Tennis Hall of Famer and enjoyed an 18-year tennis careerGETTYWhile those of a certain age may remember Drysdale the announcer, many of the younger generation will not be familiar with Drysdale’s playing career.
Born in Nelspruit, South Africa, he went on to become one of the finest tennis players of his generation across an 18-year career.
When tennis was still an amateur sport, Drysdale began his career in 1962 and when the sport turned professional in 1968 he was already a Grand Slam finalist.
He was beaten at the US Open by Spain’s Manuel Santana in 1965, having already reached the Wimbledon and French Open semifinals that year
From that point, he went on to win five singles titles and a Grand Slam doubles title in 1972 when he teamed up with Roger Taylor to win the US Open.
He reached a career high ranking of four in the world and ended his career with a 685–345 record.
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