Death of a close friend and tennis aficionado Jim Martz shakes Chris Evert as the WTA legend pens down an emotional note

Saddened to hear of the passing of my favorite Florida Sports Writer and friend, Jim Martz. Jim was kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about tennis. He will be dearly missed. RIP dear Jim… Chris Evert posted on X.

Billie Jean King also expresses remorse at Jim Martz’s demise

Not just Chris Evert but American tennis icon Billie Jean King also expressed remorse at the news of Jim Martz passing away. The 80-year-old said she was saddened to know about the demise and extender her prayers to Martz’s family.

Saddened to hear about the passing of Jim Martz, South Florida sportswriter, who loved our sport and dedicated his life to telling our stories. Sending love and prayers to his family and friends. Billie Jean King wrote on X.

Meanwhile, former ATP Tour publicity guru Greg Sharko also remembered Martz’s dedication to covering all the news around tennis.

Jim was passionate about tennis and I remember getting calls and e-mails from him asking about ATP players with Florida ties for his ranking lists of pro players that he would run in Florida Tennis. It was always nice to see Jim in the media center in Delray Beach and Key Biscayne/Miami over the years and he would always pass along a copy of Florida Tennis, which he was proud of. Greg Sharko said. (H/T: World Tennis Magazine)

Notably, Jim Martz worked with the Miami Herald for over two decades (1970-1991) before starting his own tennis magazine in 1992. He worked as the publisher of Tennis Magazine for 31 years and then passed the baton to Matt Pressman some six months back.

During his career, Martz interviews the likes of Evert, Martina Navratilova, Arthur Ashe, and some prominent names of American tennis. He also got a chance to interview two Presidents of the United States (Ford and the first Bush), Muhammad Ali, Pele, Don Shula, Jack Nicklaus, Ted Williams, George Steinbrenner, O.J. Simpson, Elton John, Tony Bennett, and the BeeGees at their home on Star Island.