18 January 2024 , 11:40
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Tennis superstars Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have paid tribute to Daily Mail journalist Mike Dickson, who died in Australia earlier this week.
Dickson was the highly respected and long-serving tennis correspondent for the British tabloid and was in Melbourne for the Australian Open. His family sadly announced on Wednesday that the 59-year-old collapsed and died while covering the tournament.
He spent 33 years with the newspaper, originally serving as their cricket correspondent before switching to tennis in 2007. The sad news came as the second round of the Grand Slam got underway, with his family releasing a statement on social media.
"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," it read.
Djokovic, who beat home favourite Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in his second round match, soon paid tribute. The Serbian quote-tweeted the Dickson family statement to write: "Condolences to Mike Dickson family. Rest in Peace."
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Nadal, who has been winding down his Grand Slam appearances, also added his own message. He said: “Very sorry to hear about the passing of Mike who has been following tennis all these years. My thoughts to his family and to our tennis family for the loss. Rest in peace.”
A visibly emotional Tim Henman led the tributes to the much-loved journalist. The former British No.1 told Eurosport: "It's incredibly sad that he passed away in Melbourne. He was a great friend of the tennis community and our thoughts go out to his family."
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were two of the tennis stars to issue tributes (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)The Mail are now grieving the loss of a much-respected colleague. Lee Clayton, the Mail's global publisher for sport, added: "Dicko was everything you want a correspondent to be – a brilliant news hound, a terrific writer and a friend to so many in his sport.
"The world of tennis will join us in mourning. He was a giant of a journalist. It will be an impossibly difficult time for us all as we digest this huge loss. Dicko was a magnificent tennis correspondent.
"But he would also turn his hand to any sport, especially cricket, golf and football, and support colleagues across our team in any challenge, always in such a generous manner. He was just a brilliant bloke, a class act. It was a privilege to work alongside him and to know him."
Current British star Liam Broady also 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." While former player Laura Robson added: "Truly devastating news. Can't believe it. All my thoughts with Mike's family."
The Daily Mirror's Mike Walters and Andy Dunn also paid tribute. "Shaken to the core and shattered - 'Dicko' was the best of colleagues, the best of men," Walters wrote. "He loved his job and did it brilliantly, but above all he was a devoted family man. Heartfelt condolences and love to Lucy, Sam, Ruby and Joe."
Dunn added: "Shocked, stunned, saddened. So sorry for your loss. Dicko was a truly top man and top operator. Great professional, great company, never took himself too seriously, an expert across all sports. And a loyal Evertonian. Sincere condolences and RIP Mike."