Tributes paid to British tennis journalist Mike Dickson following death aged 59, while covering Australian Open
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 17/01/2024 at 13:58 GMT
Tennis players, colleagues and fellow journalists have paid tribute to tennis writer Mike Dickson, following his death aged 59 while covering the Australian Open. His family made the announcement on X, saying Dickson collapsed in Melbourne. “For 38 years he lived his dream covering sport all over the world. He was a truly great man and we will miss him terribly," said the family.
Mike Dickson of the Daily Mail
Image credit: Getty Images
Tributes have been paid to British tennis correspondent Mike Dickson, following his death aged 59 while in Melbourne covering the Australian Open.
His family announced the news on X, saying: “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and Dad, Mike, has collapsed and died while in Melbourne for the Aus Open.
"For 38 years he lived his dream covering sport all over the world. He was a truly great man and we will miss him terribly. Lucy, Sam, Ruby and Joe."
Dickson was tennis correspondent at the Daily Mail, where he had worked for 33 years. He had previously been the publication’s cricket correspondent, with the Mail saying he covered 30 sports in 50 countries throughout his career.
A statement from Eurosport said: “This morning we learned of the extremely sad news that prominent British tennis journalist Mike Dickson passed away in Melbourne whilst covering the Australian Open.
“Mike, affectionately known as Mr Wimbledon, was a hugely respected and admired journalist who spent 38 years in the industry and his loss will be felt deeply by the entire tennis community.
“Our thoughts are with Mike’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Reacting to the news, a visibly emotional Tim Henman said on Eurosport: "Incredibly sad, he was a great friend of the tennis community and our thoughts go out to his family."
There have also been whole-hearted tributes from tennis players and colleagues on social media.
Former British No. 1 and Eurosport expert Laura Robson posted: “Truly devastating news. Can’t believe it. All my thoughts with Mike’s family."
British No. 5 Liam Broady said: “A strong, good and fair man. Cared about me when I was at my lowest ebb. Rest well Mike."
Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said he will be "greatly missed", with his Billie Jean King Cup equivalent Anne Keothavong saying it is "Truly awful news. Thoughts are with his family during this devastating time."
US tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg described Dickson as “an absolute gem, a tremendous reporter but a better guy,” with The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs calling him “The doyen. More importantly, a very special human being.”
Stuart Fraser of The Times said: “Those of us here are in complete shock. Mike was a tremendous colleague and friend on the road. The tennis press room will never quite be the same again.”
As written in the Mail’s tribute, Dickson began his career at the Chester Chronicle, before moving to Wembley Observer and 2CR radio in Bournemouth until he joined the team at the Mail in 1990.
His final piece was published on Tuesday, following Emma Raducanu’s first-round victory in Melbourne.
- - -
Stream the 2024 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement