CLIFF Drysdale said an emotional farewell to ESPN TV viewers after 46 years and claimed his final commentary “was a nice match to go out on”.
The veteran broadcaster called the shots as Aryna Sabalenka moved into the US Open final on Saturday following a 4-6 6-3 6-4 semi-final victory over Jessica Pegula on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Drysdale called a women’s semifinal Thursday night which was just last game on the network[/caption]
It was a fitting way to end a career that began on the channel on September 14, 1979, as it went three sets, lasted more than two hours and was a memorable encounter for everyone watching.
The 84-year-old South African-born TV presenter started to choke up as his time in the commentary booth came to its end.
Before Sabalenka was interviewed on court, ESPN’s longest-tenured sports analyst said: “It was a really, really high-quality match.
“And I thank those two players for that because it was really nice to be a part of it.
“This display, it was one of those mental battles that you expect from these two brilliant players, No.1 in the world versus No.4.”
Once Sabalenka disappeared off court, the camera then turned on Drysdale, who was sitting next to former tennis ace Mary Joe Fernandez.
Drysdale said: “It’s a bittersweet moment for me, Mary Joe.”
Fernandez, 54, said: “It’s a sad moment for me. But like Sabalenka, you’re finishing on your own terms.”
Drysdale, who resides in Texas, said: “That was never a question for me.
“I mean ESPN and this whole production team, it’s hard for me to express in words just how great I feel about all of these years we spent together.
“Because we traveled together like a team. We have been a team. We’re there for each other.
“You Mary Joe, as much as anybody on this team, supported everything that I have led you to many times.
“I know out of the sight of your eye you’re looking at me and saying: ‘Are you kidding me? That’s ridiculous.’ But you don’t say it…”
Fernandez, who represented America at tennis but was born in the Dominican Republic, interrupted: “It’s been the best 25 years for me, Cliffy. I’m going to miss you. It’s been an honour to work with you.
“You’ve been the class act. I think you’ve been the Roger Federer of broadcasting. Smooth. Gracious. You make it look effortless.
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“And I’ve been so, so lucky to be next to you. We love you, Cliffy.”
Drysdale said: “Well, it was a nice match to go out on.”
Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time golf major champion, filmed a short tribute video from his kitchen where he showed off all the $50 bills he had stuck to a cupboard door.
This cash had all been won by playing golf with Drysdale down the years.
The pair were then joined in the studio by 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert and former doubles player Patrick McEnroe, and the four all joined in a group hug.
Drysdale finished up by saying: “Let’s see, it’s very hard to find a final word other than to say that it’s not just us around here.
“I was going to say family. But even more than a family, it’s like a small country of people that go with us and that are behind the scenes.
“And that really do the job of showing the pictures.
“Thank you, Patrick. Thank you, Chrissy. Thank you, Mary Joe. That is it for me, over and out from yours.”
Before he turned to broadcasting, Drysdale was a top tennis player in the 1960s and 1970s, winning the US Open doubles title with Britain’s Roger Taylor in 1972.
He was also a member of the ‘Handsome Eight’ – the “James Bonds of tennis” – that played a series of matches in the breakaway World Championship Tennis group.
In 1965, he was beaten in four sets in the final of the US Open by Spaniard Manuel Santana, and he also reached semi-finals twice in singles at the French Open and Wimbledon.
After joining the network as an analyst – his first assignment was a Davis Cup tie involving the United States and Argentina – he then became a play-by-play voice for TV audiences.
