When it comes to sports commentary in the United Kingdom, the ‘voice of the summer’ for many is Andrew Castle. The former tennis pro enjoyed a solid career, but has enjoyed a stellar showing as a commentator and pundit. Having worked across the BBC, GMTV, and Sky to name a few, Castle, 57, has long been a presence within British sports broadcasting. However, despite having enjoyed a lucrative and illustrious career in the gantry, Castle has made clear that one thing wins his affection above all when it comes to sporting events: Wimbledon.
As a former pro himself, that should come as no surprise. In an illuminating interview, though, the BBC commentator spoke about what makes Wimbledon such a special event for him personally. Having endured a tough year like the rest of us, where sports events felt like something happening within virtual reality as opposed to real life, Castle was clear that his optimism and excitement for the future is back more than ever.
Castle, though, was open and forthright about what makes not only a return to crowded sports events a special event, but what makes Wimbledon in particular so grand for the audience.
What makes Wimbledon so special to Andrew Castle?
Speaking about the tournament itself, Castle said that the All England Club is something that literally raises on the hairs on the back of his neck, saying: “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes Wimbledon so special,” he stated. “I could say that the tennis and the atmosphere is what brings it to life, but it still gets you even when it’s dormant and sleeping.
“I have goosebumps when I arrive and nobody’s around. It’s just one of the great privileges to call it my place of work.”
What makes it special for Castle, though, was the fact that he got to deliver one of the most famous lines in tennis commentary history. He was there when Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2013, becoming the first British man to win the singles title since the Open Era began. Castle delivered the final lines as Murray sank to the floor in emotional bedlam, and said of that tournament win: “Ultimately, you don’t plan a winning line. The great thing about commentary is that you can use silence as a tool, and let the pictures do the work.
“Murray had three championship points at 40-0 up in the final game, lost them all, and was back at 40-40. The director pushed into Murray’s eyes and what you could see was a man trying with all of his heart and soul, feeling every emotion going.
“It was a beautiful shot. All I had to do was give a little line and back off. Throughout that game I kind of knew it was my job to lead viewers through the emotional turmoil. Something like 72 per cent of UK televisions were watching, so that was quite a responsibility. Hopefully we did it justice.”
As one of the great names in British commentary today, then, Castle can be pretty sure that he has made history for the right reasons.
