BBC star comes clean on Nick Kyrgios feud and Wimbledon row – ‘Embarrassed me'

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Nick Kyrgios was a hit in the commentary box during Wimbledon last year – but the Australian has reportedly been left off the BBC's broadcast team for the upcoming tournament
Andrew Castle has shed light on his rumoured frosty relations with Nick Kyrgios, who previously labelled the seasoned Wimbledon commentator a "clown." Despite being a fan-favourite in the commentary booth last summer, Kyrgios is not expected to return to the BBC's coverage of this year's tournament at SW19.
The outspoken Australian, often dubbed the 'bad boy' of tennis, temporarily traded his racket for a microphone in 2024 after an injury forced him out of action. Ongoing fitness concerns have ruled him out again this year, but the BBC has decided against re-inviting him to the panel, according to The Telegraph.
‌
That means viewers won't see a repeat of last year's pre-tournament friction between him and Castle, 61, with the action set to get underway on June 30.
‌
Still, the former British No. 1 has downplayed any talk of animosity, suggesting their feud was in fact exaggerated.
"I didn't have any tense encounters and nor did he," Castle told The Express, via Globusbet. "Nick said something on Twitter about me and he got told that it's not the way to be."
Kyrgios, never shy about voicing his thoughts, caused a stir during the 2023 Wimbledon final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Using X (formerly known as Twitter), he slammed Castle for allegedly interrupting the commentary too frequently and accused him of failing to remain quiet during key moments.
"Whoever is the clown next to [Todd] Woodbridge in that commentator box needs to just not speak, spoiling the match big time," Kyrgios posted.
Castle, who later labelled Kyrgios the "golden boy" of clickbait, admitted he felt "embarrassed" after reading the comment but didn't dwell on it. "I said to him that he embarrassed me there and he said, 'Oh mate.' That was it," Castle recalled.
‌
"I stand by what I said about where we were in the match he commented on. Nick said something online and there's so much attention on Wimbledon and on his Twitter feed that people make something up that isn't there."
Their verbal sparring continued into the following year. While working alongside Castle on the BBC team, Kyrgios slammed him again, calling him "disrespectful" for his commentary on a showdown between Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz – a match highlighted more by booming serves than extended rallies.
During that broadcast, Castle remarked: "You can't say it's been the most captivating tennis, to be frank." Kyrgios responded swiftly on social media. "'Not captivating' – was a comment from a commentator who is doing the Zverev and Fritz match," he wrote.
‌
"This alone tells me that they have probably never played tennis at a high level. Two of the most elite servers we have. Quite disrespectful. C'mon be better."
Castle, once again, chose not to take the post personally. He even complimented Kyrgios for his contributions in the commentary box, praising his natural communication skills and knowledge of the sport.
‌
"I like working with Nick, he did a great job at last year's final," Castle said. "It was my 21st final and he slotted right in with Tim [Henman] and I – his delivery is really good for tennis.
"He picks things up, knows when to speak and obviously knows what he is talking about so that was great. We talked a little bit about being careful [with what he posts online] and he said, 'Sure, it's over.' So that's it."
Though Kyrgios has never captured a Grand Slam title, he came closest at Wimbledon in 2022, advancing to the final before losing to Djokovic in four sets. That match is perhaps best remembered for Kyrgios' infamous "700 drinks" tirade aimed at a spectator he said was distracting him.
Since then, he has struggled with recurring injuries, appearing in only two Grand Slams over the last three seasons. His comeback at the Australian Open this January ended quickly with a straight-sets loss to British up-and-comer Jacob Fearnley in round one.