World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka leads tributes to 'beautiful' media star Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, who died at 41

MELBOURNE: This year's Happy Slam has been tinged with sadness.

More than tinged, really, as journalists and players adjust to an Australian Open without Duncan McKenzie-McHarg.

The much-loved media personality, who covered the tennis grand slams superbly for Stan Sport, died suddenly aged 41 in Los Angeles last month.

Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match, live & on demand with centre court in 4K.

The awful news, just before Christmas, sent shockwaves around the tennis world and the Australian sports media landscape.

McKenzie-McHarg got his big break in 2010 working on radio with Eddie McGuire and his warm, exuberant interviewing style immediately set him apart.

This Wide World of Sports correspondent did not know McKenzie-McHarg particularly well but he more than lived up to his reputation as one of the genuine nice guys at Melbourne Park in 2025.

READ MORE: 'I think I'm retired': Papenhuyzen's staggering new admission

READ MORE: Devastation as match points blown in tough day for Aussies

READ MORE: Sabalenka responds to calls to kick her off tour

One article featuring an exclusive player interview contained a howler, with his surname misspelt as McHarg-McKenzie.

A rookie error, that would have warranted a sharp complaint.

But McKenzie-McHarg couldn't have been kinder, politely requesting that the error simply be fixed up when possible.

Tennis Australia, one of his many former employers, are planning to honour the gentle giant at a media drinks on Monday.

His life will then be more broadly celebrated at a memorial at the MCG on February 10.

Before then, WWOS spent some time gathering memories, both fond and sad, from those who knew him well.

One of his regular sparring partners was women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

The pair had enormous fun together and Sabalenka was one of many leading players who spoke to McKenzie-McHarg without being obligated to.

"Really heartbreaking, honestly, I was shocked," Sabalenka told WWOS.

"I didn't want to believe that. I thought, I hope it's a mistake or something, but it's heartbreaking.

"We had a lot of great, fun interviews. I would never see it (conversation topics) coming. I thought he was very fun, always smiling, always. Always nice, and this is really sad for tennis in Australia. I don't know what you can say in this moment, so I hope his family stays strong, and they will be OK."

McKenzie-McHarg's family said he was a deeply loved son, a devoted father to his "precious boy" Harrison, and a cherished brother to his three siblings.

Todd Woodbridge expressed his sadness on Grand Slam Daily, the show that featured McKenzie-McHarg's interviews and goofy grin.

"He was somebody, as a player coming into the media, who you kind of looked up to," the doubles legend said.

"For me, I was always looking at how good a job he did. I was so deeply sad. I had spent a lot of time with him at Wimbledon, doing interviews, giving him volley lessons. And I guess the thing that you find out of all of this, is you just don't know how some people are feeling. And it's so, so important that we check in on everybody."

Kimberly Birrell is another Australian star who got to know McKenzie-McHarg on a personal level, outside of just the often formulaic question and answer, journo and player, exchange.

"I always looked forward to media time when I knew Duncan was working a tournament," the 27-year-old Queenslander said.

"He never failed to make me laugh, whether I was nervous because I hadn't done an interview in a while, stressed pre-tournament or sad post-loss. I feel so lucky to have worked with him in 2020 while I was injured. It was a tough time for me and Duncan really encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone.

"I would watch him work and then give it a shot, with him always close by with a smile and tips to improve. Ever the professional, always not so silently cheering for us Aussies. I'll miss Duncan's goofy questions and the way he lit up a screen."

Mark Petchey is a former British professional turned media pundit who has coached Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu.

Petchey also shared Stan Sport microphones with McKenzie-McHarg, and spent social time with him in his adopted hometown of LA.

"He was the light of the show," Petchey marvelled in the corridors of Melbourne Park's sprawling media centre.

"I've never met anyone, really, in television that I felt was so happy - all the time - to do the job that he was doing.

"It felt like he was in the right place, doing the right thing. The players loved him, which is a very difficult skill to get to, to have every player love you. You walked in in the morning and if you weren't feeling it, Dunc was feeling it every single time.

"In my life, that's been one of the biggest shocks that I've had. He's a beautiful human being and we're going to miss him."

Nine's Sam McClure wanted to share his own precious McKenzie-McHarg memories after also attending Sabalenka's Wednesday press conference.

The pair bonded as AFL media competitors during the tortuous Essendon supplements saga, with McKenzie-McHarg always generous with companionship and advice.

"He treated everyone the same," McClure noted.

"A great person, but also I think the thing that got lost with him, he was a bloody good journo.

"You'd see him having fun with Sabalenka in an interview, but then he could tear apart a really strong political piece. Just his zest for the job - he was a proper journo at heart.

"Full of life. Someone that you could sit next to and within 60 seconds you'd be smiling."

McClure chuckles at one of his mate's early TV signoffs.

"Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, 10 Eyewitness News. I was like, man, his sign-offs go for longer than some of my stories. That was the gag.

"Such a beautiful person. The impact that he had on me will last forever."

McKenzie-McHarg spent the back end of his career as an LA-based freelancer, criss-crossing the globe to big events.

He interviewed sport's biggest names - Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Roger Federer, Shaquille O'Neal, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to name just a few.

And he had an impact on media colleagues around the world, including Markus Paszehr.

The German digital creator implored people to learn from the tragedy.

"Even the brightest and happiest people on the outside can be struggling deeply on the inside," Paszehr noted.

"Ask your friends, in a real and meaningful way, "How are you?" more often. Then wait, listen, and respond to what they tell you."

We will save the final word for Grand Slam Daily host Chris Stubbs, whose mateship with McKenzie-McHarg intensified while working together for Stan at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Nobody brought vibes like Dunc," Stubbs wrote.

"The life of the party, the perfect impersonator, the fun one. He was the hype guy in Paris and would sing 'This is how we do it' before going on air every night. But he was more than that.

"He was kind, loving and honest. He was driven - an entrepreneur. He worked his backside off to build an incredible career. He could strike common ground with a world number one, a world leader or an everyday punter within seconds.

"He was a son, a brother and a deeply devoted dad to his little man Harrison, 'The Dude'. And the most brilliant companion and mate to so many, in so many places. Fortunate to share some of my favourite moments in life with the gentle giant. He will be missed."

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.