Tennis Prose




Apr/20

13

RIP Anthony J. Causi New York Post Photographer

The sports world lost a great one this weekend. Anthony J. Causi, the long time New York Post photographer has passed away because of the virus at 48.

Causi began his career at the Post in 1994 as a photo messenger. Eventually the Brooklyn native was promoted to photo editor and ultimately a full-time journalist photographer, responsible for shooting all the New York City sports teams, the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Giants, Jets, US Open, etc.

We crossed paths at various sports events over the years, but my memories of Causi are primarily at the US Open every year. He had an aura of being a serious, hard worker with a tough looking exterior but his actual nature was the opposite. He was always super friendly and considerate, even in the heat of working. As one of the best in the business, one afternoon amid the hustle and bustle of both of us covering the US Open for different purposes, I sought Anthony’s perspective of photographing Roger Federer for my second tennis book “Facing Federer.”

Here is what Causi said about Federer, on the spot: “Shooting Federer is not like shooting anybody else. He’s cold as ice. He doesn’t show any emotion. When you shoot a guy like James Blake, they’re always blasting out or going wild during the match. Federer is cool and calm until the very end. He comes in as a surgeon, he does his job and he’s out. I think he’s one of the most intense guys to shoot. Because you really have to be good at what you do to shoot him, because he doesn’t give you much emotion or anything. Just pure excitement in his game. He’s a master of his game…Pete Sampras was emotional. You saw it on his face if his game was off or if he wasn’t performing the way he wanted to – you’d see that look on his face. Like most other guys who are playing the game today. Federer is just on his game all the time.”

Causi was one of those likable guys who developed friendly relations with just about everyone in the New York sports media, including some of the athletes like Yoenis Cespedes, Didi Gregorious, Todd Frazier and Curtis Granderson. He was known for generously snapping photos of other media, competitors, fans and later sending them to the recipient.

In the dog eat dog world of pro sports in New York City, Causi was a kingpin and a kitten at the same time.

Causi is survived by his wife Romina and two children, John (age 5) and Mia (age 2). Also his parents and two sisters.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to assist the Causi family after his untimely passing.

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