Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Think Andrew Castle Ruins Wimbledon?

53 replies

EsmaCannonball · 08/07/2024 18:03

I know there's probably a thread on this every year but Wimbledon is one of the few sporting events I actually look forward to and there he is, squatting on all the big matches with his awful droning, flat voice, rambling on through all the points, drowning out the atmosphere with his endless, tedious Alan Partridge-esque asides, gifting us with his inane and insulting opinions.

He's the worst sports commentator ever. It's like being trapped at the bar of a mid-market wine lodge by a man who just has to bore you about every pothole and every temporary traffic light he encountered on the journey there. I've never encountered anyone who doesn't absolutely loathe him as a broadcaster and yet the BBC digs him up every year. I just know he'll be speaking over the men's final again. Can anyone explain why he is inflicted upon us?

OP posts:
NooNakedJacuzziness · 08/07/2024 22:19

Anyone remember Dan Maskell? He was great, hardly said a word! "Oh I SAY"

Jossse · 08/07/2024 22:16

Can't believe he's still there doing it. Such awful and rude comments. I turn the sound off now when he's on. What an an@5!!

Icepop79 · 08/07/2024 22:10

Agree entirely.
Also think Nick Kyrgios is an absolute revelation as a commentator. Can’t stand him as a player, but am really enjoying listening to his commentary - calm, informative, empathetic, respectful to fellow commentators and players, self-deprecating, all with a gentle dose of humour.

Original poster
EsmaCannonball · 08/07/2024 22:09

Yes, I like Ash Barty and Martina Navratilova.

OP posts:
Tralalaka · 08/07/2024 22:08

He doesn’t bother me. I quite like him

IsawwhatIsaw · 08/07/2024 22:05

I think Ash Barty is doing well

LizzieW1969 · 08/07/2024 22:05

Point taken, he’s obviously better suited to coaching. Henman by contrast is in his element in the commentary box.

crockofshite · 08/07/2024 22:02

MagnusCanis · 08/07/2024 21:44

If OP thinks Castle has an "awful droning, flat voice"...

Show quote history

AM tried punditing, hated doing it and was terrible at it

waltzingparrot · 08/07/2024 22:00

Just me that likes Andrew Castle then 🤣

LizzieW1969 · 08/07/2024 21:52

Yes I like Kyrgios as a commentator, he’s surprisingly good, whereas he was obnoxious as a player. Following in the footsteps of McEnroe and Pat Cash, both of whom courted controversy as players.

Bonbon21 · 08/07/2024 21:50

I dont think Andy would be bothered stuck in a wee room with other commentators.. not enough action!!
Besides they would need subtitles!
🤣🤣

Love Andy Murray!!

Original poster
EsmaCannonball · 08/07/2024 21:48

In his leaving interview with Sue Barker Andy Murray hinted that he would much prefer to return to Wimbledon as a coach than as a pundit.

Given that I found him pretty insufferable as a player, I am pleasantly surprised by Nick Kyrgios as a commentator. In the last match, for example, John McEnroe asked him a question and he started to respond but then stopped and waited for the point to be played before he answered. It also helps that he's got a deep, listenable voice.

OP posts:
LizzieW1969 · 08/07/2024 21:48

You have a point about the droning voice. But my objection to AC isn’t so much that as the fact that what he says is mostly irrelevant and inane.

tuvamoodyson · 08/07/2024 21:47

Exactly!

Tired Baby GIF
MagnusCanis · 08/07/2024 21:44

LizzieW1969 · 08/07/2024 21:37

I wonder if Andy Murray will join the BBC commentary team once he’s no longer playing? I think he might make a good TV pundit.

If OP thinks Castle has an "awful droning, flat voice"...

BeaRF75 · 08/07/2024 21:43

Everyone says this every year. He only works in tennis for 4 weeks a year (Queen's, Wimbledon and qualies). There are fantastic broadcasters who cover tennis for the entire season (eg Nick Lester) who still get overlooked for the dreaded Castle. He has very little knowledge or expertise and a tired, "housewife's favourite" style delivery. The Beeb does desperately need to update its coverage.

LizzieW1969 · 08/07/2024 21:37

I wonder if Andy Murray will join the BBC commentary team once he’s no longer playing? I think he might make a good TV pundit.

FloofPaws · 08/07/2024 21:13

I don't watch tennis much but yes he's bloody annoying, he was on GMTV Many moons ago, I used to turn the telly over then too

soupfiend · 08/07/2024 21:10

Cant stand Claire Balding, didnt like Sue Barker, dont like Andrew Castle or John Lloyd

Love McEnroe.

goingdownfighting · 08/07/2024 21:07

I sometimes mute the tv and listen to the radio or bbc sports online commentary. It's far more descriptive

Screamingabdabz · 08/07/2024 21:03

My elderly mother, a Wimbledon fan, has muted the tv she’s so sick of it, but now sits watching it with a completely miserable look on her face.

mrsrobin · 08/07/2024 20:59

I cannot stand Clare Balding on Wimbledon - it has put me off watching! As soon as i hear her voice I have to turn over!

MinnieCauldwell · 08/07/2024 20:56

Maybe we should have a group effort at getting AC off next year, and don't get me started on Clare bloody Balding...

MinnieCauldwell · 08/07/2024 20:54

Ooh was going to start a thread on this, bloody sick of the man and his weird delivery and ridicilous info about the players cousins wife twice removed and where they live.
I know Alcaraz comes from Mercia, stop fucking telling me every fucking match.
Macenroe is increasingly irrelevant, banging on about playing Borg. Don't get me wrong, they were great days and I actually saw them play, but enough already John

wibblywobblywoo · 08/07/2024 20:49

You are so right! He does my head in with his constant, never ending, incessant inanity. Especially when he's paired, as he often is, with John Lloyd - torture!

He's so sure he's THE most interesting thing there, much more interesting then the tennis obvs because he constantly talks over that! He always has to finish whatever bloody anecdote he's started telling even though the play has started and he always has to tack his own bit onto the end of whatever anybody else says too.

I wish the BBC would have an opinion poll at the end of Wimbledon so that we could vote him out and never hear from him ever again!