Wimbledon

I usually forget to do the ballot and I have no tennis connections so I’m not complaining about not getting tix...cept it would be nice to go. Enjoy yourselves you lucky ones. I’m in front of the telly, in dressing gown with a nice glass of wine....

Some of the commentary annoys me, they feel they have to comment between every point but I quite like Mac and Boris and Martina.

French Open coverage on ITV is far preferable to Wimbleedon simply because the ad breaks give you respite from obnoxious buffoon Andrew Castle (who still hasn't got over the fact he never won a match in his life) and sexist boorish old git John Inverdale.

I mean does the man have any self awareness, he pretty much fills every second of airtime with his pointless wittering.

Inverdale I don't mind when he presents the rowing but as a commentator he just goes on and on.

John Inverdale is more a "Front man" than a commentator in my mind. Claire Balding is a fine presenter but her forte is Horse Racing or Equestrianism. We certainly don't have the great commentators of yesteryear though in any sports.

Tricky one. Clare does her h9mework and brings enthusiasm to whatever she is asked to front. I think she could do the job well. But they do need a player too.

Kyrgios is so rude and disrespectful, I don’t find him entertaining at all and wish people wouldn’t make excuses for him. He can clearly play so just needs to drop the attitude and tricks otherwise he’ll never win a grand slam. I thought Nadal played excellent and is always dignified, not getting into putting other players down when being interviewed.

With regards to a new presenter, I’m not sure who could take over from Sue Barker - big shoes to fill. I don’t think Tim Henman would want to do it since he has other commitments at Wimbledon. Agree that a former player would be best. Claire is a decent presenter and professional but I think it shows that she doesn’t have the passion for the sport that others do.

Annabel Croft. She is very good on Eurosport when they show tennis. I wonder if she could be tempted to defect?

Not really. I turn off when she starts speaking. He's much better, so worth more money.

And this might be the place to whisper my annual 'I actually like John Inverdale' admission, even though I suspect I'm still alone on that one! (Andrew Castle's not worth me finding adjectives to describe, so I won't bother.)

I love Sue. Hope she's not going anywhere.

When my friend (who would have thought it!) lends me her National Trust magazine, Sue is always advertising, in her waterproofs, the Holiday Property Bond, so she obviously goes 'somewhere' several times a year.

She's either very well behaved, or the other bondholders are very discreet. 🙂

And I don't mind JI either. He says the things that many of the others just think.

Maybe that's it - you've all known me long enough to know how much I do love a good tangent!

Also, he's got quite a sexy voice.

(Did I just say that out loud?)


I like the other John too, Lloyd. (Also, he had the best legs and bum in his day, along with Vitas Gerulaitis and Pat Cash.)

McEnroe was mildly amusing and different when the BBC first hired him but of all the ex players they use he's the one that follows the tour least and relies on a series of cliches and supposed straight talking to cover that up. He often makes basic errors when talking about people's careers but no one really bothers to correct him. Put him alongside someone who knows what they're talking about like Austin or Navratilova and he's embarrassing to listen to. The biggest waste of money in their entire salary bill.

Inverdale is mainly ok but just goes down weird tangents sometimes and is best kept away from women's matches.

Castle is actually unbearable and has got worse over the years.

The BBC could really do with shaking their team up a bit more, the ones that get the high profile mens matches are all a bit too cosy with each other, it's like being stuck with a load of pub bores. At one point McEnroe was a breath of fresh air and now he's a stale fart.

When Hewitt or Murray guested there was actual analysis happening and an complete understanding of the modern game. Realistically though as prize money has increased there's less incentive for the really top players to move into broadcasting after their career is over.