A U.S. Open Tribute

If you read my column, then you know that I often take a detour away from the regular professional player commentary to cover those interesting stories that make professional tennis great. Today's column is another one of those, and I hope you will enjoy it.

From as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by a man who has been the face of professional tennis in America and abroad for nearly 40 years. Every time I have been in his presence, I am 43 going on 12. I have long desired to follow in his footsteps, and have secretly (okay, not so secretly, you got me) wanted to be his heir apparent.

I'm not exactly sure why, but there is something that just attracted me to his craft and his performance. A self-professed "hacker," he has always been known much more for his journalistic endeavors in tennis then his time as a player and coach. He may be the most recognizable face in professional tennis worldwide. He is definitely the most recognizable dresser in all of professional tennis.

Yes, you guessed it, it's Bud Collins. Known for his cutting commentary and his variety of, well, interestingly-fashioned pants, Bud has long been my idol and the one person who connects tennis over the decades of the open era. And I am like a giddy little kid around him.

Like this past Thursday. While waiting for a colleague at the media entrance at the Open, I happened to run into Mr. Collins as he was coming out of the media area and heading out on the grounds of the National Tennis Center. I didn't immediately notice Bud by face, but I couldn't miss the purple pants with bright red chili peppers all over them. Topped by a conservative polo shirt and jacket, this was Bud in all his splendor.

As he stopped and greeted me, I became like a kid again. We talked briefly and pleasantly about the game, and other things. Then, a couple of youngsters approached him and he transitioned perfectly into the game's greatest spokesperson for all generations. I just stood there in awe as Bud brought the game to vivid color for another generation of professional tennis fans. Bud completed his conversation with them then returned to me, gave me an autograph on my Evian water fan, and then said goodbye and reminded me about his tennis writer's association meeting next week.

Thank you, Bud, for showing me and millions of others the artistry, beauty, and grace of the professional tennis game. Thanks for being there at the Open this year.

This column is about two stories, this one about the unsung heroes of the U.S. Open and professional tennis. The NYPD. Long before September 11th, 2001, the NYPD has been on-site at the Open to keep the players, fans, and friends of tennis safe from trouble and to assist us with things as important as getting medical attention and as trivial as how to get out of the Shea Stadium parking lot and get back to the LIE. (Thank you, fine officers, for giving me the tip on the Van Wyck.) My exposure this year is actually tied to my meeting Bud Collins.

The security at the entrance to the media center always has security personnel. This year, I had the opportunity to get to know for few minutes the lovely young woman who kept guard over the doors to media center. While I did not get her name (forgive me detective) I was impressed by the NYPD detectives’ demeanor, and her spirit and enthusiasm. My conversation with her was most pleasant, and we shared a laugh or two, especially over Bud Collin's pants.

It was this fine detective who pointed out to me Mr. Collin's dress for the day, and we both giggled when he appeared through the media center doors in those purple chili pepper pants. What I saw and found in this detective is what makes the NYPD truly the finest police force on this planet. I found her to be a real "human being." A pure soul, truly caring about the people she was directed to protect and about those who benefit from the party that is the Open.

Walk the grounds of the NTC and you will see uniformed and plain clothes policeman, watching carefully over the professional players who walk unescorted to and from the practice and show courts, who keep a watchful eye over the public who attend, and add a visible security blanket to the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. (Over 700,000 people will pass through the gates of the NTC this year.) All go practically unnoticed, and every year are the unsung heroes of the tournament.

So, for making professional tennis and the U.S. Open the great events they are, and for making my U.S. Open experience the most memorable ever, thank you, Bud, and thank you, detective. Actually, thank you seems just too small for the great things you did and do.