Andrew Castle's biggest Wimbledon gaffes - 'sexist' remark and Alcaraz pronunciation row

Andrew Castle has been a top flight tennis commentator for 20 years but the Wimbledon stalwart has made a few gaffes along the way.

The former player was regularly ranked GB number one at the peak of his career and made a Grand Slam final, the Australian Open mixed doubles final with Anne Hobbs in 1987. After retiring from tennis he presented ITV breakfast programme GMTV in the early '00s and competed in BBC Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.

The broadcaster has been at the helm for the Wimbledon men's singles finals for two decades but his controversial remarks have sometimes caused a stir. Here's our top five rundown...

Andrew Castle in a dark blue jacket and light blue shirt sitting by centre court

Praise for jailed Boris

In June 2022, Andrew was criticised by viewers for saying he was looking forward to welcoming Boris Becker back while he was in jail. The six-time Grand Slam champion was sentenced to two years and six months at Southwark Crown Court that April for hiding £2.5m worth of assets and loans to avoid paying off debts.

"I've had a real moment of missing Boris," said the BBC commentator as he covered the Queen's Clubs Championships. "I know he's in prison and I know why. Boris, we look forward to welcoming you on your return."

'Sexist' remark

Andrew was forced to apologise when he made a cheeky comment about Marcus Willis' girlfriend back in July 2016. The British tennis star's now wife Jenny Bate is a dental surgeon, prompting the commentator to quip: "My dentist doesn't look like that".

Jenny Bate in the crowd in a black crop top jumper and jeans

Scolded by fans on social media who branded the remark sexist, he hit back at one who told him to 'get back to the tennis' saying "I just knew there would be someone just you who would comment. Earnest, humourless and probably not fun at all". Andrew later had second thoughts, tweeting: "Obviously never mean to upset anyone. If I did then I apologise."

Bias accusation

When Carlos Alcarez beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year, Andrew was criticised for sympathising too much with the losing player. When Djokovic lost a game in the final set of the tense final, he stormed back to his seat and smashed his racket against the net's wooden post on the way.

"It's understandable how upset Djokovic would be," said Andrew. "He has just lost his serve in the fifth set." Fans disagreed, branding the player 'pathetic' and a 'toddler'.

Pronunciation blunder

At Queen's this year, the BBC tennis commentator hit out at last year's champion Carlos Alcaraz when it emerged he was allegedly unhappy at the way his name was being pronounced. Defeated by home favourite Jack Draper, Alcaraz made his feelings known between points, with Castle referring to him as 'Al-ca-raz' rather than the correct Spanish way, 'Al-ca-rath'.

Carlos in white lifting the Wimbledon trophy

Becker in a grey suit jacket and blue tie, with a light shirt underneath

"Is he (Alcaraz) talking about how he wants his name said?" said Andrew on air. "His name is 'Al-ca-rath' but if you go on the pronunciation on the ATP's website it's 'Al-ca-raz'. "All day long we could worry about these," he continued. "We will call him (Alcaraz) the Spaniard."

Lloyd apology

Back in June 2013, Andrew apologised and paid damages to David Lloyd for suggesting 'personal problems' could rule him out of being appointed chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association. His comments were made on BBC2 during a rain delay at London's Aegon Tennis Championships the year before.

A statement read: "Mr Castle would like to put the record straight and express again his personal apology to Mr Lloyd. He made his remarks, which were completely without substance, in the hurried exchanges of a live debate.

"Mr Lloyd has accepted Mr Castle's apology and the payment of damages. Mr Lloyd and Mr Castle are pleased to have been able to resolve matters amicably and now consider the matter to be behind them."