The BBC is facing significant changes to its Wimbledon coverage this summer, with veteran commentator Andrew Castle stepping down just days after announcing the 2026 Championships would be his last with the broadcaster. Castle, 62, resigned during an interview with The Times, citing a desire to leave on his own terms after 23 years calling matches at the All England Club.
Castle's departure comes as the All England Club reportedly asked the BBC to modernise and shake-up its coverage, adding pressure on the corporation to refresh its presenting lineup. He is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the BBC's Wimbledon team in recent years.
Andrew Castle's Legacy and Exit
Castle had been a fixture in the commentary box since 2003, but acknowledged that his appointment had not been universally welcomed. "To be honest, when I got the job 23 years ago, a lot of the more experienced commentators felt that they should have been first in line," he told The Times. "Their noses were put out of joint. So, in the wider scheme of things, I am lucky that I had the best gig in sports broadcasting for so long, during the greatest age of men’s tennis."
Looking ahead, Castle said: "My wife Sophia and I are building a house and we’re about to have a third grandchild, so things are good. I am not sure what will come next professionally, but whatever it is, I’ll embrace it."
Sue Barker's Departure in 2022
Sue Barker, who became a central figure in the BBC's Wimbledon coverage in 1993 and succeeded Des Lynam as the main anchor in 2000, left her role in the summer of 2022. The former grand slam champion, now 70, guided viewers through eras dominated by Serena and Venus Williams, and the men's golden age of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Barker also presented the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, athletics, racing and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards from 1994 until 2012. Upon leaving, she said: "What a wonderful time I’ve had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. I will miss it terribly but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me. I’ve worked with the best of the best."
Boris Becker 'Snubbed' for 2025 Coverage
German tennis legend Boris Becker was not included in the BBC's Wimbledon punditry lineup in 2025, despite being eligible to apply for re-entry to the UK after serving eight months of a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for hiding £2.5 million worth of assets to avoid paying loans following his bankruptcy. The three-time Wimbledon champion was deported from the UK and unable to attend matches during his ban.
According to the Daily Mail, BBC chiefs declined to include Becker in their coverage, even though he had been a mainstay on the channel since 2002. TNT Sports also reportedly declined to use Becker after securing rights to daily highlights of the tournament. Speaking about his absence, Becker said: "I miss Wimbledon. It’s part of my life. It’s in my DNA. I don't think anyone alive knows Wimbledon as well as I do. But let's see who I'm working for there. After October 2024, I can be given permission from the Home Office. They decide, I don't decide."
With Castle, Barker and Becker all gone, the BBC faces a challenge to rebuild its Wimbledon presenting team ahead of the 2026 tournament, which begins at the end of June.
