Russ Adams
United StatesRuss Adams was an American photographer, widely recognized by his peers as the "dean" of modern tennis photography. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007 for his profound influence on the sport's visual history and administration.
He was instrumental in creating and implementing the rules for on-court photographers at the U.S. Open and served on the International Tennis Federation Media Commission for 17 years.
Biography
Russ Adams was born on July 30, 1930, in the United States and passed away on June 28, 2017, at the age of 86. He was admired by players and officials alike for his work and his dedication to the sport.Tennis legend Billie Jean King called him a "National Treasure," and fellow Hall of Famer Jim Courier noted that his portfolio of photos was "the most comprehensive volume chronicling the game of tennis from its professional infancy."
Career as a Photographer
Adams's career as a tennis photographer spanned 50 years. His collection of tennis images was considered the largest privately held source of images in the tennis world. He photographed all the major tournaments, including Grand Slam events, the World Championship Tour (WCT), all major United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments, the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup), the Davis Cup, and tennis at the Olympic Games.He credited learning the art of tennis photography from 17-time major champion Hazel Wightman.
Contributions to Tennis
Adams's influence extended far beyond his photography. In 1967, he became the official volunteer photographer for the U.S. National Championship at Forest Hills.At the beginning of the Open Era, he developed and implemented the system for on-court photographers at the 1969 U.S. Open in conjunction with tournament director Bill Talbert. He served as the director/liaison of photographers for the U.S. Open and was instrumental in developing a universal "Code of Conduct" for photographers covering tennis events around the world.
He was also a founding member of the International Tennis Federation Media Commission, where he served on the Board for 17 years.
Russ Adams FAQ
What was Russ Adams’s profession?
Russ Adams was a photographer and tennis administrator.
What was Russ Adams’s most significant contribution to tennis?
Russ Adams's most significant contributions to tennis were developing and implementing the system and code of conduct for on-court photographers at the U.S. Open and other events around the world.
When did Russ Adams pass away?
Russ Adams passed away on June 28, 2017, at the age of 86.