Andrew Castle, the veteran BBC Wimbledon commentator, has announced he will step down after this year's Championships, admitting he feels “upset” about leaving the role he has held for 21 years. The 62-year-old former professional tennis player, who was Britain's number one in the 1980s and reached the Australian Open mixed doubles final in 1987, will remain lead commentator for the 2026 tournament, which began on Monday, before departing.
Castle Breaks Silence on Exit
Castle told The Telegraph: “Am I upset? Yeah, I was upset, and I will stay that way this year, knowing it’s my last. But all good things come to an end.” The former GMTV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been covering the men's singles finals for two decades, but his tenure has not been without controversy. Here are five of his most notable on-air blunders.
Praise for Imprisoned Boris Becker
In June 2022, during coverage of the Queen's Club Championships, Castle expressed a desire to see Boris Becker return to tennis while the six-time Grand Slam winner was serving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for concealing £2.5 million in assets and loans to evade debts. “I've had a real moment of missing Boris,” Castle said on air. “I know he's in prison and I know why. Boris, we look forward to welcoming you on your return.” The comment drew criticism from viewers, given Becker's conviction at Southwark Crown Court in April 2022.
Sexist Remark About Marcus Willis' Girlfriend
In July 2016, Castle made a flippant comment about British tennis player Marcus Willis' then-girlfriend, now wife, Jenny Bate, a dental surgeon. “My dentist doesn't look like that,” he joked. Fans labelled the remark sexist on social media, prompting Castle to initially fire back at one critic: “I just knew there would be someone just you who would comment. Earnest, humourless and probably not fun at all.” He later apologised, tweeting: “Obviously never mean to upset anyone. If I did then I apologise.”
Bias Accusation During Alcaraz-Djokovic Final
During the 2023 Wimbledon final, where Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic, Castle faced criticism for showing excessive sympathy toward Djokovic after the Serbian smashed his racket against the net post following a lost game. “It's understandable how upset Djokovic would be,” Castle said. “He has just lost his serve in the fifth set.” Fans on social media called Djokovic's behaviour “pathetic” and likened him to a “toddler,” accusing Castle of bias.
Pronunciation Blunder with Carlos Alcaraz
At Queen's in 2024, Castle found himself at odds with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz over the pronunciation of his name. Alcaraz, beaten by Jack Draper, allegedly expressed displeasure when Castle used “Al-ca-raz” instead of the correct Spanish “Al-ca-rath.” Castle addressed the issue on air: “Is he talking about how he wants his name said? His name is 'Al-ca-rath' but if you go on the pronunciation on the ATP's website it's 'Al-ca-raz'. All day long we could worry about these. We will call him the Spaniard.”
Legacy of a Commentator
Castle's departure marks the end of an era for BBC tennis coverage. Despite the gaffes, he has been a staple voice of Wimbledon for over two decades, and his exit leaves a notable gap in the commentary box. As he prepares for his final tournament, fans will be watching to see if he can avoid any more blunders before bowing out.
