BREAKING NEW: BBC commentator explains decision to quit after bombshell dropped on air
The former British No.1’s departure from the broadcaster’s coverage of the tournament was confirmed live on air
John Lloyd has confirmed his departure from the BBC’s Wimbledon team (Image: Getty)
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BBC Wimbledon commentator and former British No.1 tennis player John Lloyd has explained his decision to step back from his role, after it was announced live on air that this would be his last tournament.
The 71-year-old has been part of the coverage for almost 30 years, and said his goodbyes after commentating on the men’s doubles finals in which Finnish-British pair Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten came out victorious. It was just after the final point was won, when the announcement was made by fellow commentator Todd Woodbridge.
“Before we get to the presentation, worth just saying something about you, Lloyd-y,” he said.
Lloyd then replied with: “Wow, don’t need to,” before Woodbridge added: “It might be the last chance that I get to sit in the comms’ box with you, it’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Fellow commentator Chris Badnam then said: For me, too, John. John’s last Wimbledon.” Lloyd replied by saying “Thank you. Yeah, it’s very nice of you guys to see that.”
The announcement came following Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten’s win in the men’s doubles. (Image: Getty)
Lloyd has now explained how the decision has been on the cards for a while. “I was going to stop last year,” he told the Telegraph.
“But then it was one of those years: I was on the big courts more than I expected, and I had a lot of studio time, so I thought ‘I’ll give it one more summer’”.
He added: “I’ve got no regrets. I’m very fortunate to do it.
“I’ve been a lucky guy. It feels strange to be doing my last match but I’m happy, because it’s been a really good ride.
“I can’t even tell you whether it’s 25 years now or 27, because I’m not very good at dates. But I think I must have started when it was black-and-white TV.”
The decision comes at a time of change for BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon and sport in general. It has also been announced that the current tournament will be the last for Jo Durie and Andrew Castle, who will commentate on his last men’s singles final on Sunday.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” Castle told The Times last month.
“I can’t say I have enjoyed every minute because there have been moments of pressure and controversy, but it has been a huge privilege.”
He added: “To be honest, when I got the job 23 years ago, a lot of the more experienced commentators felt that they should have been first in line.
“Their noses were put out of joint. So, in the wider scheme of things, I am lucky that I had the best gig in sports broadcasting for so long, during the greatest age of men’s tennis.”
