The Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation was very saddended recently to learn of the death of John Parsons, the sports journalist who was synonomous with the Wimbledon Championships for over 40 years.

John, known as 'JP', began his journalistic career at the Oxford Mail in 1956 after being educated at Magdalen College, Oxford where he played in the tennis team for three years. He joined the Daily Mail in 1964 and was the Daily Telegraphs lawn tennis correspondent from 1981 until his death in April 2004, aged 66. J P had a passion and a knowledge for the game of tennis that was unmatched. He was known, respected and adored on every stop of the tennis roadshow.

Photo © The Telegraph

"This is a sad day," said Tim Henman, who went to visit Parsons in hospital before he died. "He will be greatly missed by everyone within tennis. Everyone who was a part of the tennis world was also a part of John's family. Tennis was his life"

"He was so passionate about the sport - he was the grandfather and the godfather. He followed my career from the start, from when I was playing short tennis at the age of seven or eight. And because we were both from Oxford, there was always a special relationship between us. John was at almost every major tournament that I have played at in my career."

John McEnroe, a triple Wimbledon champion, said: "John really loved our sport. He was one of the guys I saw around the courts from the moment I started in tennis and for that alone I respected him. There aren't many who've been around the game for as long as he had. He cared a lot about it - that was enough for me."

Former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade said: "It is hard to imagine tennis without John. He was very fair. He always spoke to you as an equal, always respected what you said. I remember some wonderful nights out with John, especially dinners in Paris. It was great to be a friend of his."

Boris Becker, three times a Wimbledon winner, said: "It wasn't easy being thrown to the press pack as an innocent boy at Wimbledon in 1985, I needed help and it wasn't always easy to find. John was one of those journalists you immediately looked to and knew you could rely on him. He always stood for fairness, honesty and truth. When John spoke, he spoke with authority and when he wrote, his words carried enormous respect. Tennis writing has lost its own great champion."

Chris Gorringe, chief executive of the All England Club, said: "John's contribution to tennis was immense. The word that comes to mind is ubiquitous. He was everywhere, either covering a Grand Slam final, or at a junior event. He gave me huge support professionally, but was also a true friend."

Tim Phillips, chairman of the All England Club, said: "He has made an enormous contribution to tennis, which is recognised in this country and abroad. He set himself the highest standards. He will be greatly missed."

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said, Everyone at the ITF is saddened by the death of our friend, John Parsons. John was one of the worlds most respected sports journalists, hard working and dedicated to his profession and to his sport and almost irreplaceable. As a member of the ITF Media Commission for nearly 20 years, he laboured tirelessly and successfully to improve working conditions for his fellow journalists. For many years, JP has had a close relationship with the ITF, especially during the time of our former president, Philippe Chatrier but, despite this, he was also fiercely independent and could be counted on to let us know when we were, in his view, on the wrong side of a discussion. All of us at the ITF will miss JP very much and we send our sincere condolences to his family to whom he was devoted and to his many friends around the world."