John McEnroe has questioned why the BBC ended Andrew Castle’s run as its lead Wimbledon commentator, while admitting he still wishes Sue Barker was presenting the tournament.
The three-time men’s singles champion, who has worked on the broadcaster’s coverage since 2004, said he had seen little evidence of the changes being made to its Wimbledon output.
Speaking at the Laver Cup, McEnroe praised Castle’s work and made clear he was surprised by the decision to replace him in the commentary box for the men’s final.
“Andrew Castle did his last year. I thought he did a great job,” McEnroe said.
“I don’t necessarily know why suddenly they decided they didn’t want to do it with him.”
Castle was told that the 2026 Championships would be his final Wimbledon as the BBC’s lead men’s final commentator.
He was offered the chance to continue in a different commentary role but decided to leave altogether.
His departure forms part of changes to the BBC’s tennis coverage under director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
John McEnroe has questioned why the BBC ended Andrew Castle’s run as its lead Wimbledon commentator, while admitting he still wishes Sue Barker was presenting the tournament
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GETTY
McEnroe, however, said the difference on screen had not been obvious to him.
“I’m not sure exactly what the changes were they were doing,” the 67-year-old said. “I didn’t see a whole lot of change in my book.”
McEnroe also reflected on the absence of Barker, who presented the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for decades before stepping down after the 2022 tournament.
“I think Sue Barker was great, personally. I wish she was still there, and I’m betting you a lot of other people do,” he said.
Andrew Castle will no longer lead the BBC’s commentary at Wimbledon
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GETTYHe acknowledged that broadcasting careers eventually end, including his own, but credited the BBC with allowing him to work in his natural style.
McEnroe said its instruction to him had been to “just be you”.
Castle has spoken candidly about his exit.
In an interview earlier this year, he admitted he was upset and had hoped to stay until Wimbledon’s 150th anniversary in 2027, which would also have marked his 25th year covering the Championships.
Sue Barker and John McEnroe used to work together for the BBC at Wimbledon matches | PA
He said the BBC had delivered the news to him in person and handled that conversation respectfully.
Even so, he would have preferred one more summer behind the microphone.
Barker has similarly discussed the importance of choosing when to leave.
She said she stepped away from Wimbledon on her own terms, having been unhappy with how her long stint presenting A Question of Sport came to an end.
