Cliff Drysdale wipes away tears in emotional ESPN – Sports News
Tennis legend and ESPN commentator Cliff Drysdale wiped away tears following an emotional tribute as he prepares to retire following the conclusion of the US Open. Drysdale, 84, joined ESPN in 1979, the yr the community debuted, and the South African has been the voice of its tennis protection ever since.
However, Drysdale will retire after 46 years of service, however not earlier than ESPN paid tribute at Flushing Meadows, which left all the panel emotional. In a prolonged montage, ESPN put collectively clips from Drysdale’s profession as a high-ranked tennis participant after which as an esteemed broadcaster, narrated by the Great Jack Nicklaus.
Drysdale was handed a tissue to wipe away tears earlier than he addressed the panel and ESPN viewers. “I thought that the guys would put something nice together. 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 stated.
“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.
“Nobody has disrespected or not given me every part that they’ve from the start. It continues to today. I do not know the place I’m going with this different than to say that my great good friend, Jack Nicklaus, to put his voice on that’s one thing that’s actually particular.”
ESPN viewers were also moved by the montage, with just five days left of US Open action before Drysdale rides off into the retirement sunset. “This tribute to Cliff Drysdale on ESPN man, I wasn’t prepared for this,” one tweeted on X.
“That Cliff Drysdale tribute, now the entire desk crying,” another said. “Thank you, Cliff Drysdale. What lovely phrases that was stated to him, and for a lot of that has watched tennis for years, his voice IS tennis. Not saying goodbye, however so long,” a third reacted.
“The ESPN Tennis crew is a household. This celebration of Cliff Drysdale is so shifting. What a particular second simply now on ESPN,” a fourth tweeted.
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“‘Legend’ does not even start to do justice for what Cliff Drysdale has meant to the game of tennis,” a fifth declared. “It’s so lovely listening to him call matches as a result of you possibly can inform he’s a true fan. A fan of the game, of the people and of his friends.”
The most emotional tribute came from Drysdale’s ESPN peers before the montage was played. “A gracious Hall of Famer, he’s our good friend and he’s our North Star,” they stated.
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