Cliff Drysdale’s Emotional Farewell: A Tennis Legend Says Goodbye After 46 Years

Sometimes you witness moments that remind you why sports matter beyond the scoreboards and statistics. Tuesday at the US Open delivered one of those moments when ESPN paid tribute to Cliff Drysdale, and honestly, you’d need a heart of stone not to get a little misty-eyed watching it unfold.

At 84 years old, Drysdale is hanging up his headset after nearly five decades of calling tennis matches for ESPN. The South African legend didn’t just stumble into broadcasting greatness—he earned it the hard way, first as a player who reached No. 4 in the world and made it to the 1965 US Open final, then as one of ESPN’s original hires when the network launched in 1979. How will he be remembered?

The Moment That Made Everyone Reach For Tissues

ESPN pulled out all the stops for their tribute montage, and let me tell you, they knew exactly what they were doing. With Jack Nicklaus narrating (because apparently they wanted to guarantee waterworks), the video showcased Drysdale’s journey from accomplished player to broadcasting icon. The man himself couldn’t keep it together, and neither could anyone else in the studio.

“I thought that the guys would put something nice together. Never thought it would be anything that elaborate,” Drysdale said, dabbing his eyes with a tissue. You could hear the genuine surprise and gratitude in his voice—the kind of authentic moment that cuts through all the usual sports media polish.

Why Drysdale’s Voice Became Tennis

Here’s what separates the good broadcasters from the legends: Drysdale never forgot he was a fan first. When you listened to him call a match, you weren’t just getting play-by-play—you were getting the perspective of someone who genuinely loved watching great tennis unfold. That passion came through in every call, every analysis, every moment of genuine excitement when a player pulled off something special.

His ESPN colleagues nailed it when they called him their “North Star” before the tribute aired. That’s not corporate speak—that’s the real deal. In a business where egos can run wild and personalities clash, Drysdale somehow maintained respect and affection from everyone around him for nearly half a century.

Social Media Shows the Love

The internet doesn’t lie when it comes to genuine appreciation, and the reaction to Drysdale’s tribute proved his impact went far beyond the ESPN studios. Fans flooded social media with heartfelt messages, with one perfectly capturing the sentiment: “his voice IS tennis.”

Another viewer summed up what many were feeling: “The ESPN Tennis team is a family. This celebration of Cliff Drysdale is so moving.” When you can make strangers on the internet get emotional about a broadcaster’s retirement, you’ve clearly done something right.

Walking Away On His Own Terms

So why is Drysdale retiring now? The beautiful simplicity is that he’s doing it because he wants to. No scandal, no controversy, no dramatic exit strategy—just an 84-year-old man who’s ready to enjoy the next chapter of his life. In an era where we’re used to messy endings and forced departures, something is refreshing about someone simply deciding it’s time to go.

Drysdale leaves behind a legacy that can’t be measured in ratings or awards alone. He helped define how tennis should sound on television, bringing the perfect blend of expertise, passion, and respect to every broadcast. For an entire generation of tennis fans, his voice was the soundtrack to some of the sport’s greatest moments.

As the US Open winds down and we prepare to bid farewell to this broadcasting legend, one thing is clear: they don’t make them like Cliff Drysdale anymore. And tennis broadcasting will be quieter and a little less special without him.