To Think Andrew Castle Ruins Wimbledon?

[EsmaCannonball]

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?

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.

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!!

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

I love McEnroe, it's not wimbledon without him, also I agree about Kyrgios he's pretty good, but please bring Sue Barker back!

Yes, Dan Maskell knew when he didn't need to speak. And yes to Sue Barker. I don't dislike Clare Balding but Sue Barker knew the tennis world inside out. Clare adds nothing.

I can't stand Andrew Castle, everything he says winds me up. So utterly irrelevant and boring. I love Andy Murray but he has been quite open about not enjoying the commentary.
Like Nick's style of commentary, very refreshing.

I still can't believe that they bring Andrew out every year though, surely there must be someone else. I would love to do it for example!

Me too, I think I love listening to McEnroe because he was the top player when I started watching Wimbledon, I love listening to Navratilova for that same reason. I also used to enjoy Becker’s commentary, though I don’t think it would be easy for him to come back, or for the BBC to ask him for that matter after his prison sentence.

And yes, please bring back Sue Barker, it isn’t the same without her.

I was equally pleasantly surprised. He has been really good! Although I do feel a bit nervous watching him, expecting him to lose his shit at any minute! I am sure that will pass as I get used to him and he's shown absolutely no sign of that and has been very respectful with some really good insights. And lovely voice to listen to as you say!

No reason why that shouldn’t be the case, McEnroe has never lost his shit as a commentator. It isn’t about his own performance as a tennis player, that’s a big difference, I think!

I have noticed too the increasing use of influencers as guests. No problem with them in general but it just doesn’t fit. And please save us from Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend. Clearly, Wimbledon are giving her free rein to film and do BTS stuff. I understand they want to start reaching different demographics but it just feels odd to me.
I am probably just feeling ancient. Just want Sue Barker to come back!
I am enjoying Nick Kyrgios as a commentator, though. He knows his stuff and seems to be in his comfort zone.

McEnroe has not kept his knowledge up to date with the current players, he's resting on his past reputation

Agree with much of above.
Am feeling a bit cringey about the post match interviews.
Surely three questions is enough and perhaps best done by a former tennis player with empathy.

Bring back Boris.

I also like Nick Kyrgios commentating - and also love `McEnroe. I actually don't dislike Andrew Castle.
I just cannot abide Clare Balding - I never like her on anything apart from horse racing.

I LOVE Andrew Castle as a radio presenter, he's my absolute favourite and I'm very upset he's no longer on LBC. I have zero interest in tennis, but this thread makes me feel like watching it just to hear his voice again.

At least they finally got rid of John Inverdale. Now he really was the absolute worst.

The one that irritated me was whoever was commentating on the Sinner/Berrettini match. They were all so NEGATIVE about Berrettini and really knocking him.

I just wanted to tell them to stfu and stop negging the poor guy. He played a blinder of a match.

I agree. Miss those dulcet tones!

And they've given the fucker the Final again! Aaarrrgghh! There is no god!

Nick Kyrgios is spoiling it for me - as soon as I hear his voice I have to switch the sound off!!!! I refuse to listen to someone who abuses women! (He plead guilty!).

I actually can’t believe that the BBC have him on!

Andrew Castle is about as good a commentator as he was a tennis player.
I really enjoy Nick Kyrgios though. I love Naomi Broady on Radio 5 Live too. She is very entertaining.

You can listen to the radio 5 commentary link on i player

Murray has officially retired now yes

So pretty sure he'll soon be taking over the Wimbledon commentary

I enjoyed Boris

Hopefully he'll be forgiven and allowed back

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

Totally 100% agree with this. Last week I was watching a close match and he was rambling on about a film he'd watched with his adult children. I don't want to KNOW!!

I also cannot cope with him raising his voice to emphasise a point, Tim Henman is good at it, he doesn't interrupt my concentration!