BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle has announced he will step down from his role at Wimbledon after 23 years. The 62-year-old former professional tennis player, who reached a Grand Slam mixed doubles final in 1987, has been a leading voice at the Championships for two decades. However, his tenure has been marked by several controversial on-air moments that have drawn criticism from viewers.
Departure Announcement
Castle revealed earlier this month that he will continue as lead commentator for this year's tournament, which began on Monday, but will stand down after the Championship. Speaking to The Telegraph, he admitted feeling upset about the decision: "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."
Praise for Imprisoned Boris Becker
In June 2022, Castle faced backlash after expressing eagerness to welcome back Boris Becker while the six-time Grand Slam champion was serving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for hiding £2.5 million in assets. During coverage of the Queen's Club Championships, Castle said: "I've had a real moment of missing Boris. I know he's in prison and I know why. Boris, we look forward to welcoming you on your return."
Apology Over Sexist Remark
Castle was forced to apologise in July 2016 after making a flippant comment about Marcus Willis' girlfriend, dentist Jenny Bate. He quipped: "My dentist doesn't look like that." After fans branded the remark sexist, Castle initially hit back at a critic, but later tweeted: "Obviously never mean to upset anyone. If I did then I apologise."
Bias Accusation in 2023 Wimbledon Final
During the 2023 Wimbledon final, when Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic, Castle faced criticism for showing excessive sympathy towards Djokovic. After Djokovic smashed his racket in frustration, Castle commented: "It's understandable how upset Djokovic would be. He has just lost his serve in the fifth set." Viewers disagreed, calling the player's behaviour "pathetic" and "toddler-like."
Pronunciation Blunder with Alcaraz
At Queen's in 2024, Castle angered defending champion Carlos Alcaraz by mispronouncing his name. Alcaraz reportedly objected to being called "Al-ca-raz" instead of the proper Spanish pronunciation "Al-ca-rath." Castle acknowledged 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."
Despite these controversies, Castle has been a fixture at Wimbledon for 23 years, having previously presented ITV's GMTV and competed on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. His exit marks the end of an era for the tournament's commentary team.
