The International Tennis Writers’ Association is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mike Dickson, the long-time tennis correspondent for the Daily Mail.

Mike was one of the most respected journalists in the industry, covering tennis with in-depth knowledge, insight, attention to detail and genuine love for the sport.

Mike was a friend and colleague to so many people all over the world, always happy to offer advice. Generous to all, he had a great sense of humour that could light up any press room.

He covered the sport in immense depth, diligently and intelligently, always with an eye for the story and fair in his writing. In addition to tennis, he loved his cricket, covering that sport for eight years before returning to tennis in 2007. He was also a big football fan.

In all, he spent more than 33 years as a journalist for the Daily Mail and was in Melbourne covering the Australian Open for the 24th time.

His death comes as an enormous shock to us all. Our thoughts go to his family and friends. We at ITWA will miss him greatly.

Simon Cambers and Howard Fendrich, on behalf of the ITWA board