Philippe Bouin, considered the dean of French tennis journalists, has retired. Bouin joined L'Equipe, France's leading sports newspaper, in 1979 and has long been considered France's top tennis writer. A former vice president and founding member of the International Tennis Writers Association, Bouin covered 110 Grand Slams.
"Few people I have met in almost three decades covering tennis made you feel that you were part of a fraternity more than Philippe," said the London Times' Neil Harman." A consummate professional—'first to arrive last to leave'—was the Bouin way, he read the game beautifully and, from the evidence of those who appreciated French much more than I ever could, he was a wonderful craftsman of words. The French game has lost someone who did just as much for its heritage than any stadium builder, coach or performer. A thoroughly nice man, I cannot imagine watching a major tennis match without turning around and seeing him there."—Matthew Cronin