BBC Confirms Wimbledon Pundit Line-Up as Icon Departs After 20 Years
BBC Wimbledon Line-Up: Icon Leaves After 20 Years

The BBC has confirmed a star-studded line-up for this year's Wimbledon coverage, with one icon set to depart after more than 20 years, while Andre Agassi will return for the second time.

Andrew Castle has been the broadcaster's lead commentator for the men's final for two decades, but will call the championship match for the final time on the Beeb this year. Four new names have been added to the line-up, but there have been no cuts, despite reports that the All England Club have pressured the BBC to modernise its coverage.

Eight-time Major champion Agassi will be back for "the climax of the tournament" after joining the commentary booth last year.

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

John McEnroe will be back on TV screens, while Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Pat Cash, and Tracy Austin are still part of the BBC's line-up. It comes after The Times reported that one industry source said some pundits and presenters "seem out of touch and not really up to date with a lot of the players."

Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 runner-up, will join the team for the first time following successful punditry roles with TNT Sports and Tennis Channel. The former world No. 5 retired from professional tennis last year, and is set to "bring audiences closer to the mindset of today's stars and the stories unfolding beyond the baseline."

Robson, who is already a key member of both Sky Sports and TNT Sports' tennis teams, and has also presented the Winter Olympics, will deliver immediate reaction and expert analysis for the BBC.

Newly-retired former doubles No. 1 Jamie Murray will join as BBC Sport's dedicated analysis expert, using enhanced match data, advanced technology and tactical breakdowns to offer fresh insight.

Kyle Edmund, a former world No. 14 who announced his retirement last August, will also play a role in daily TV coverage. Isa Guha will again kick off coverage on BBC Two at the start of the day, before Clare Balding takes over as play continues into the evening on BBC One.

They will be joined in the studio by Tim Henman, Annabel Croft, McEnroe, Navratilova, King, Cash, Austin, Edmund, Bouchard and Murray. Live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds will be presented by Gigi Salmon and Clare McDonnell. Marion Bartoli and Kim Clijsters are among those who will join the team.

Alex Kay-Jelski, the Director of BBC Sport, said: "Wimbledon remains one of the defining moments of the sporting year, where world-class performance meets a truly British sense of occasion.

"This summer, BBC Sport's coverage combines the heritage and prestige audiences expect with exciting new voices in our presenting line-up, alongside more advanced analytics and tech that bring fresh insight to every game, set and match.

"Our aim is simple: to bring audiences closer to each story and moment that defines Wimbledon whether they are watching clips on their phone, TV, listening to the radio or following live text."

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration