A long-standing BBC commentator is standing down after Wimbledon (Image: Getty)
John Lloyd said his farewells to the BBC commentary box as he called his last Wimbledon men’s doubles final. The retired British player has been a stalwart of the Beeb’s Wimbledon coverage for years, but confirmed that this was his final time on the airwaves at the All England Club after calling Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten’s second Wimbledon triumph.
After the Finnish-British pair claimed a 7-6 7-6 victory over Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, Lloyd’s fellow commentators paid tribute. “Before we get to the presentation, worth just saying something about you, Lloyd-y,” Todd Woodbridge told Lloyd and the viewers.
“Wow, don’t need to,” the 71-year-old replied. But Woodbridge wasn’t having it, and added: “It might be the last chance that I get to sit in the comms’ box with you, it’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Chris Bradnam also joined in. “For me, too, John. John’s last Wimbledon,” he told viewers. “Thank you. Yeah, it’s very nice of you guys to see that,” Lloyd said.
While he will no longer commentate for the BBC, the former world No. 23 will no doubt still be back at the All England Club. “I look forward to meeting you up in the members’ [enclosure] later in the day each time when we come back, because you’re not leaving,” Woodbridge said. And Lloyd replied: “That’s for sure!”
Lloyd isn’t the only one stepping down after this year’s Championships. Long-standing tennis commentator and former player Jo Durie also announced her retirement earlier in the tournament.
John Lloyd called the Wimbledon men’s doubles final for the BBC for the final time (Image: BBC)
After calling Alexandra Eala’s shock victory over 2025 champion Iga Swiatek last week, Durie tweeted: “Well after 30 years of commentating today was my last match. Great way to finish on Centre Court. Thanks to @bbc & fellow comms Chris Simon & Sam had such fun over the years. I’ll be back to watch, love this sport.”
And famously, Andrew Castle will call his last Wimbledon men’s singles final on Sunday, before leaving the Beeb’s team in SW19 altogether.
It’s understood that the BBC initially hoped Castle would continue to be part of their Wimbledon broadcast team, but would stand down from the men’s singles final. He told The Telegraph: “Am I upset? Yeah, I was upset, and I will stay that way this year, knowing it’s my last. But all good things come to an end.
“I would have liked to have gone out with the 150th year of the Championships [in 2027]. It would have been my 25th year. But who’s bleating? I was told in person [that he wouldn’t be doing the men’s final next year], in a very respectful way, and I was very grateful for that – because knowing what I know about TV, you can be walking down the street one moment and the next you’ve been nobbled.”
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