Nick Kyrgios is a ‘clickbait golden boy’, according to Andrew Castle (Picture: Getty)
British broadcaster Andrew Castle has issued a response to being labelled a ‘clown’ by Nick Kyrgios ahead of their frosty reunion at Wimbledon this year.
Tennis bad boy Kyrgios – a Wimbledon runner-up in the men’s singles two years ago – publicly slammed former British No.1 Castle during last year’s tense final.
Castle has been the BBC’s lead commentator on all men’s singles finals for two decades and this year’s tournament sees Kyrgios join as a rookie commentator.
It means the pair will be working together less than 12 months after Kyrgios called him a ‘clown’ on social media and laughed at his professional record as a player.
‘Whoever is the clown next to [Todd] Woodbridge in that commentator box needs to just not speak, spoiling the match big time,’ Kyrgios said.
One fan pointed out to Kyrgios that Castle ‘made the third round at Queen’s in 1986’ to which the Australian rebel added: ‘Hahaha amazing.’
In a new interview with Metro.co.uk, Castle has responded by branding Kyrgios a ‘clickbait golden boy’ – and although he has ‘no issue’ with being called a clown – he insists it is ‘pretty easy’ to make criticisms when watching from your sofa.
Andrew Castle has been the BBC’s lead commentator for two decades (Picture: Getty)
‘It was along the lines of calling the commentator an idiot,’ Castle told Metro.co.uk. ‘The commentator was either me or Todd Woodbridge. It could’ve been Tim Henman, there was three of us in there.
‘I’ve got no issue at all with any of that. Everyone has the right to an opinion. Especially someone who’s been in a Wimbledon final. But, you know, the fact is that sitting on your sofa or in your car, it’s pretty easy from there.
‘So… whatever… the point of social media is that everyone has a say, including Nick. Hey, I’m not surprised it got picked up on. Everything Nick says gets picked up. In this world of clickbait-driven stuff, he’s a real golden boy. I look forward to seeing him and working with him.’
Nick Kyrgios lost the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic two years ago (Picture: Getty)
Asked what his initial reaction was when he found out that Kyrgios was joining the BBC’s coverage, Castle added: ‘Well, I’ll tell you what my reaction wasn’t – surprise. It was something I expected to happen after I heard him commentating last time out [at the Australian Open].
‘What has surprised me is that people seem surprised that he is articulate, intelligent, current and sharp-witted. That’s not a surprise to me. A lot of people who demonstrate the kind of talent and behaviour on the court that he does, a lot of them have very active minds.
‘I know there’s controversy around it. But the point is this: He’s very good at commentary. He gives interesting observations which are unique in many ways. I’m looking forward to it.’
The BBC’s decision to hire Nick Kyrgios has attracted criticism (Picture: Getty)
The BBC’s decision to hire injured star Kyrgios attracted some criticism given he has previously admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend.
Kyrgios pleaded guilty to pushing Chiara Passari onto a pavement in Canberra in 2021 but avoided a criminal conviction.
The legal process has since concluded and the BBC are not the first broadcaster to hire Kyrgios after he covered the Australian Open at the start of the year.