John Roberts, the former Guardian and Independent tennis correspondent, has died aged 84. He was a major force in changing the Guardian's sports coverage, alongside long stints at the Daily Express and Independent.
Roberts began his career on the Stockport Express at 15, became sports editor aged 19, and joined the Daily Express at 21. He later moved to the Guardian as a northern-based football writer, where his rigorous news gathering impressed colleagues. One anecdote recalls him making a long phone call to get the full story on a news agency report, leaving the sports desk in amazement.
He switched to the Daily Mail before joining the Independent as tennis correspondent in 1986, a role he held until retirement 20 years later. He loved the tennis circuit and was known for his meticulous prose and friendly nature. 'He was full of stories,' said his Guardian counterpart Steve Bierley. 'And I never heard him say a bad word about anyone.'
Roberts wrote several books, including the definitive account of Manchester United after the Munich air crash, The Team That Wouldn't Die. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, their children Chris, Leanne and Gerard, and four grandchildren.
