Collins's NBC pact not renewed

After more than three decades with NBC, Wimbledon staple Bud Collins is being asked to say goodbye to arguably the most esteemed tennis tournament in the world.

This weekend's "Breakfast at Wimbledon" will be Collins's last, the network announced yesterday. The 78-year-old Collins, a Globe sportswriter turned TV personality, will not have his contract renewed after 35 years with NBC.

A network spokesman had no comment.

Collins, who said he renewed his contract with the network annually, said he had no hard feelings.

"I've had 35 great years, it's been a good run," he said. "I was very happy there."

Collins said he will work his final tournament for NBC in Indianapolis later this month.

"I hope to stay in the game of tennis, and I'm still at the Boston Globe," said Collins. "I started out writing and I hope to continue that."

As in the past at Wimbledon, Collins will conduct on-court interviews after the men's and women's singles finals. He's also worked as a lead announcer and color commentator on network telecasts.

Collins, who worked for CBS at the US Open before joining NBC, indicated he would not actively pursue another television job.

"All I can say is that I hope I stay in tennis, but I'm not really hunting for a job," he said.

Collins joined the Globe in 1963 and wrote about a variety of sports besides tennis; he covered the Red Sox and boxing, including many of Muhammad Ali's fights. Collins did tennis commentary for WGBH-TV and joined NBC in 1972.

Collins, who has written three books, plus three editions of the "Tennis Encyclopedia," was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994, and won the Red Smith Award presented by the Associated Press Sports Editors in 1999.