As tennis season moves forward following Australian Open and Masters tournaments, its community takes time out for reflection. Mark Hodgkinson was an esteemed Telegraph correspondent, author, and one-of-a-kind storyteller behind Andy Murray’s journey; with his passing leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken.
Mark Hodgkinson passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his West Sussex home after falling suddenly ill and hospitalization on Thursday, February 5. His sudden demise has had a tremendous impact on both tennis and journalism communities alike.
He is survived by his partner, Amy, and their two daughters, Molly, 15, and Rosie, 12. Numerous tributes have quickly followed from friends, colleagues, and readers who admired his work and character.
Known for his lively personality and distinctive writing style, Hodgkinson made his mark early. His appointment as The Telegraph’s tennis correspondent in 2005, when he was in his mid-20s, surprised many but marked the start of a significant chapter in tennis journalism.
The position of tennis correspondent at The Telegraph holds a notable prestige, having been occupied by only a few journalists over nearly a century. Hodgkinson succeeded John Parsons, who had held the role for 23 years and was regarded as a leading voice within the sport’s media.
Fellow journalist Oliver Brown expressed his sorrow, highlighting Hodgkinson as a gifted writer and inspiration to many through his achievements at a young age. Veteran journalist Christopher Clarey recalled knowing him as one of the best and most amiable colleagues, mourning the loss of someone still full of creativity and projects.
After his tenure at The Telegraph, Hodgkinson flourished as a freelance writer and author. Among his notable works was a bestselling biography of Andy Murray published in 2013, followed by a book about Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl. He remained a familiar presence at Wimbledon each summer and contributed tennis features for the London 2012 Olympic programme, maintaining close ties to the sport throughout his career.
Hodgkinson’s talents extended beyond tennis. He collaborated on fashion and fitness projects with celebrities including Robbie Williams, Daniel Craig, Tom Hiddleston, and trainer Simon Waterson, producing bestselling books. He also authored a successful book for Naomi Osaka’s former coach Sascha Bajin, which became a bestseller in Japan.
His most recent tennis-related books focused on Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. “Searching for Novak” was honored with the International Sports Book of the Year award in 2025 and was named a Times sports book of the year in 2024. It was translated into ten languages. The November release, “Being Carlos Alcaraz,” received praise for its detailed research and insightful storytelling.
Tragically, Hodgkinson is not the only figure in tennis journalism lost prematurely in recent times.
The Tennis Community Also Remembers Duncan McKenzie-McHarg
Before Hodgkinson’s passing, the tennis world had already faced another painful loss with the death of Australian sports reporter Duncan McKenzie-McHarg last year. The 41-year-old journalist died after a fall from a building in Los Angeles, where he had established his career after relocating there in 2017. His passing sent shockwaves through the sports media circles.
McKenzie-McHarg was widely recognized as a familiar face on Stan Sport and respected for his dedicated reporting and on-screen presence during his time in the United States.
Remembering Mike Dickson
In 2024, the tennis media world also mourned British journalist Mike Dickson, who passed away while covering the Australian Open in Melbourne. Dickson, aged 59, had an extensive career that spanned coverage of 30 different sports across nearly 50 countries and also worked previously as a cricket correspondent. His family shared the devastating news of his sudden passing.
Mark Hodgkinson joins an esteemed list of journalists lost far too early, and so tennis journalism community would like to pay our respects and remember all he contributed during his lifetime.
Mark Hodgkinson will rest peacefully.