Howard Fendrich, award-winning AP national writer, dies at 55
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Howard Fendrich, a veteran Associated Press sports writer known for his detailed and insightful coverage of tennis and other major sports events, has died at age 55 after a cancer diagnosis.
- Fendrich covered 11 Olympic Games and approximately 70 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, chronicling the careers of legends like Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
- Renowned for his meticulous reporting and vivid prose, Fendrich won multiple Grimsley Awards and was praised for his ability to capture intimate and nuanced moments in sports.
- Colleagues and athletes alike, including Federer, lauded Fendrich for his professionalism, warmth, and deep passion for sports journalism, with his family continuing his legacy in the field.
- Over a 33-year career with AP, Fendrich demonstrated exceptional persistence and an instinct for news, gaining respect for his thoroughness, sharp humor, and dedication to delivering accurate, compelling stories.