Tributes have flowed for British tennis journalist Mike Dickson following his death in Melbourne at the age of 59 while covering the Australian Open.
His family announced the news on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, late yesterday.
“We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and Dad, Mike, has collapsed and died while in Melbourne for the Aus Open,” the announcement read.
“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.”
Australian Open organisers said tournament officials were shocked by the news of the popular journalist.
”We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Mike, our long-standing colleague and friend. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family,” it said on X.
Dickson was a tennis correspondent at the UK Daily Mail newspaper for more than 30 years.
“Dicko was a magnificent tennis correspondent and an outstanding colleague: talented, kind and knowledgeable,” the Mail said in a statement.
“Much more than that, he was a brilliant bloke, a class act. It was a privilege to work alongside him and to know him. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Former British tennis player Tim Henman told Eurosport: “It’s incredibly sad he passed away in Melbourne. He was a great friend of the tennis community. Our thoughts go out to his family”.
In a social media post, British tennis player Liam Broady said: “Don’t know what to say. A strong, good and fair man. Cared about me when I was at my lowest ebb. Rest well Mike”.
