The sports universe paid tribute to the legendary Bud Collins, one of the most prominent, colorful figures the game of tennis has ever seen.
Collins, a deeply beloved journalist and commentator died Friday at the age of 86.
rip Bud Collins! Thank You For making the pressroom so colourful ... 🎾🎾🎾
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) March 5, 2016
Great memories with the one, the only, the legend Bud Collins https://t.co/TqUWxKoMsj
— Bethanie MattekSands (@BMATTEK) March 5, 2016
RIP my friend ! Your were the first man I spoke after my Wimbledon victory #85...will always remember !!!
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) March 4, 2016
Dear Sir Bud Collins! You sure left a very fun and colorful print on our sport! Thank you for that. RIP pic.twitter.com/9eTIeWMpTv
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) March 5, 2016
Heartbroken at passing of @budcollins. Tennis lost a legend. His knowledge, wit, humor & humanity will be missed. pic.twitter.com/q30yk6DjtY
— Nick Bollettieri (@NickBollettieri) March 5, 2016
Few people have had the historical significance, lasting impact and the unqualified love for tennis as Bud Collins. pic.twitter.com/CLuJF2ThVm
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 4, 2016
Integrity, passion, intelligence,wit,compassion.... Friend... I, like many, will miss you terribly...RIP Bud Collins
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) March 4, 2016
RIP Bud Collins- Dear Bud- you proved you can be a great human, a great humanitarian & a world class reporter at the same time- much love...
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 4, 2016
Am totally saddened: Bud Collins has died. All-time #1 tennis buff, yes, but so much more. Journalistic GIANT! Great, great guy. I owe him.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) March 4, 2016
RIP the great Bud Collins
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) March 4, 2016
A true American Tennis Icon
Just learned Bud Collins has died, a generous giant, a friend to anyone who cared about tennis...the sport's dominant voice forever. RIP.
— Dick Enberg (@Deohmy) March 4, 2016
RIP Bud such a passionate guy about our sport of tennis,he will be truly missed hope they hav big matches upstairs https://t.co/OoXAq3wDMT
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 4, 2016
First sportswriter I ever wanted to grow up to "be" was @budcollins. No scribe has ever been more synonymous with their sport than Bud. RIP
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) March 4, 2016
We lost a true hero today... Tennis and journalism were more colorful thanks to Bud Collins. #RIP #USTA pic.twitter.com/f95wIxoIas
— Katrina Adams (@katadams68) March 4, 2016
The tennis world sheds a collective tear today as the amazing, brilliant and kind #BudCollins passes away today. We will all miss you Bud 😘
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) March 4, 2016
There hasnt been a more generous, genuine , passionate man in our sport - RIP Bud Collins
— Paul Annacone (@paul_annacone) March 4, 2016
I loved Bud Collins. A legend...and a gift all of us and the sport of tennis. #RestInPeace
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) March 4, 2016
RIP Bud Collins. Tennis legend and class act. pic.twitter.com/4dLkzhZRI6
— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) March 4, 2016
An amazing reporter & extraordinary human being, we will miss you 😢 #Rip Bud Collins @usta @WTA @ATPWorldTour pic.twitter.com/J9yVNtEAzI
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) March 4, 2016
RIP Bud Collins 😔😔😔
— Dinara Safina (@Dinarik27) March 4, 2016
My dear friend Bud Collins, the best friend tennis ever had, passed away this morning at the age of 86. A giant of this business.
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) March 4, 2016
I covered tennis when I was young & didn't know anyone. And no one was ever nicer or more helpful than Bud Collins. RIP to a true gentleman.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) March 4, 2016
RIP Bud Collins. The game of tennis is less colorful today. One of the all time greats.
— Steve Weissman (@Steve_Weissman) March 4, 2016
.@BudCollins news crushing. He was so smart, funny, generous - being on the tennis beat in the Era of Bud remains a highlight of my career.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 4, 2016
So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest gifts the tennis world has ever received. Thanks for setting the bar so high RIP Bud
— Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob) March 4, 2016