a film package discussing his tennis life (I never knew he was one of the "Handsome Eight" Aussie players when he was younger.....or honestly that he played professionally at all), his broadcasting career, and kind words about him as a broadcasting colleague, friend, and mentor from A listers like McEnroe, Evert, Navratilova, Cahill, etc., and then they spoke to him live to discuss how influential and kind he was during his years at ESPN.

It was very cool.

Cliff mentioned during the broadcast last night about how fitting it was that his last call was in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Named after tennis legend and Cliff's long time broadcasting partner on ABC - Arthur Ashe.

I vaguely remember Cliff Drysdale as a 🎾 player. He had wicked forehand.

Mainly I remember Cliff from when I was a kid in the 1970s. I had just started playing tennis and watching pre-ESPN and pre-cable they would show syndicated tennis on TV typically UHF channels on late night weekends.

So Cliff Drysdale went from the playing courts to the broadcast booth and wrapped up his 50+ year broadcasting career last night.