BBC could lose Wimbledon if they are not careful
It's upon us, the time all tennis fans anticipate – Wimbledon.
Some people even take a fortnight's holiday so they don't miss any of the action, although I suspect working from home has taken care of that.
For the BBC, the quality of broadcasting takes on a special meaning. The relationship between the Corporation and Wimbledon has been going on for almost 100 years but so many major live sports have been lost in recent years that there is always an element of concern that Wimbledon, which for the time being remains the jewel in the crown, might go the same way.
The bad news for any potential competitor is that the BBC has a contract with Wimbledon until 2027, which interestingly will be the centenary of the first radio broadcast from the All England Club.
If you took in the recent French championships at Roland Garros, you might have been highly impressed by TNT's coverage. They threw all their resources at it, which their American parent company allowed them to do. Their team included stars such as John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Mats Wilander and Jim Courier, not to mention a much-improved Tim Henman, who seems to have added a lightness of touch to his undoubted knowledge of the game. Interesting to note that Henman will be part of the BBC commentary team as usual.
The men's singles final in Paris between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has been described as the best ever. The commentary by Nick Mullins, another who doubles up at the BBC, aided and abetted by Wilander and Courier, both former winners of grand-slam tournaments, was superb.
Meanwhile Sky, with their own dedicated tennis channel, seems to be waiting in the wings to grab any chance they have of expanding their coverage.
A few years ago, the French Open was broadcast on ITV4 and some years previously ITV had a share of Wimbledon coverage but it did not last long.
It will be vitally important for the BBC to keep up their very high standards, otherwise in a couple of years the sport could fade away to the highest bidder as most of the other major sports seem to have done. One added complication is the BBC charter is also due for renewal in 2027.
Meanwhile, we have two weeks of wonderful tennis to look forward to. Young Jack Draper leading the British challenge and those fantastic players Alcaraz and Sinner potentially doing battle again. Oh – and do not forget the old master Novak Djokovic is waiting in the wings, still hungry at 38 to collect his 25th grand-slam title.
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