World number one tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has spoken publicly about her profound heartbreak following the tragic death of beloved Australian tennis identity Duncan McKenzie-McHarg. The Stan sports presenter, aged 41, died in December from what authorities described as 'blunt traumatic injuries' after falling from the top of a building in Los Angeles.
Sabalenka's Emotional Tribute
Sabalenka described receiving the news as 'really heartbreaking' and admitted she was initially in shock, hoping there had been some mistake. The Belarusian champion told Wide World of Sports that she always enjoyed speaking with the veteran journalist, who was renowned throughout the tennis world for his infectious personality and cheerful demeanor.
'I didn't want to believe that. I thought, I hope it's a mistake or something,' Sabalenka revealed emotionally. '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.'
The world number one added that McKenzie-McHarg's passing represents a significant loss for Australian tennis journalism, stating: 'This is really sad for tennis in Australia. I hope his family stays strong, and they will be OK.'
A Distinguished Media Career
McKenzie-McHarg began his media career in January 2010 as a reporter for Triple M's Hot Breakfast with Eddie McGuire, quickly establishing himself as a rising talent in sports broadcasting. He subsequently worked as a presenter for both Channel Seven and Channel Ten, building his reputation as an engaging interviewer with a unique ability to connect with athletes.
In 2017, he took on the role of US correspondent for Fox Sports Australia, a position he held until May 2022. The following August, the father-of-one achieved what he considered his dream position, becoming a Los Angeles-based sports presenter with streaming service Stan, where he remained until his untimely passing.
Interviewing Sporting Legends
During his tenure with Stan, McKenzie-McHarg interviewed an impressive roster of world-famous sports stars, demonstrating his versatility across multiple disciplines. His interview subjects included basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, NFL icon Tom Brady, golfing great Tiger Woods, and tennis superstars Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Colleagues Remember a 'Sunny' Personality
Eddie McGuire, who worked closely with McKenzie-McHarg early in his career, described his former colleague as a 'sunny and optimistic source of joy' whose death has left the Australian media community devastated.
'Like everyone who was exposed to the sunny, optimistic, quirky joy of our friend and colleague Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, the news was heartbreaking and devastating,' McGuire said in a statement last month.
McGuire highlighted how McKenzie-McHarg transformed his naturally happy and kind disposition into a professional skill set that 'disarmed the world's biggest stars,' adding that his ability to build an international career from scratch earned great admiration from his peers.
'Our deepest condolences to Duncan's family and friends,' McGuire concluded. 'We are all so sad.'
The tragic circumstances surrounding McKenzie-McHarg's death have prompted an outpouring of grief from across the global tennis and sports media communities, with many remembering his distinctive interviewing style and consistently positive presence at major sporting events.
