John McEnroe predicts 'inevitable' exit from TV network after spotting trend

Yasmin SyedTue, September 29, 2026 at 5:31 PM UTC

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John McEnroe is one of the biggest names in tennis -Credit:Luke Walker, Getty Images for Laver Cup

John McEnroe has admitted he "wishes" Sue Barker was still fronting the BBC's Wimbledon coverage, though the seven-time Grand Slam champion acknowledges the broadcaster's push to modernize is unavoidable.

Veteran lead commentator Andrew Castle called his final tennis match at the Championships this year before parting ways with the BBC. Castle, 62, was no longer set to be the primary commentator for the men's singles final, though it is understood he could have retained his spot on the BBC team had he chosen to.

Instead, Castle opted to leave the BBC altogether. There has been a concerted effort to refresh the public broadcaster's Wimbledon output, with McEnroe, who has predicted when Novak Djokovic will retire, remaining one of the network's longest-serving pundits throughout this period of change.

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The former world No. 1 says he hasn't noticed any dramatic shifts yet, though he does miss Barker, who presented the Championships for the last time in 2022 before Clare Balding took over the reins

McEnroe, 67, said: "BBC has been great to me because they said just be you, which I think is the key in a way to success in anything.

"You got to be yourself, be authentic.

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McEnroe has worked for the BBC for many years -Credit:ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images

"I think Sue Barker was great, personally.

"I sort of wish she was still there, and I'm betting you a lot of other people do.

"But inevitably, my time will come, and you know everyone's time comes.

"I'm not sure exactly what the changes were they were doing.

"I didn't see a whole lot of change in my book.

"As far as the coverage went, I didn't notice a big change. Andrew Castle did his last year. I thought he did a great job.

"I don't necessarily know why suddenly they decided they didn't want to do it with him, unless it's just inevitable that at some point, we're all [gone].

"You just hang in there as long as you can."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”