The BBC is facing a tough scheduling decision right at the start of Wimbledon. One of the broadcaster’s premier sporting events kicks off on Monday with an enticing day of tennis at SW19.
Yet there’s one considerable challenge confronting the Beeb from the outset: two of the tournament’s biggest stars are competing simultaneously on the show courts. At 1pm, British star Emma Raducanu launches her campaign against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court One.
Half an hour later, men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner is scheduled to start the defence of his crown on Centre Court against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic. Broadcasting the defending champion would typically be a straightforward decision.
But the presence of Raducanu, who commands enormous public attention, makes matters more complex. Monday’s coverage begins at 10.30am on BBC Two and continues until 7pm. Yet coverage on BBC One doesn’t start until 2pm, meaning both the Sinner and Raducanu matches will already be underway.
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Consequently, the opening stages of one match will only be accessible via iPlayer, which will broadcast action from all 18 courts. Whichever decision the BBC makes is certain to divide viewers.
The national broadcaster sparked controversy at the recent HSBC Championship at Queen’s when it opted to screen Serena Williams’ comeback match in the ladies’ doubles rather than Raducanu and Katie Boulter’s clash against Storm Hunter and Shuai Zhang, which wasn’t available on iPlayer.
The move proved unpopular with some fans, who believed the British pair should have been prioritised. Nevertheless, many viewers will welcome the announcement that the BBC has agreed to broadcast the tournament live on television and online until 2033.
View 3 ImagesJannik Sinner’s match will be the first on Centre Court(Image: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images)
This year, Clare Balding and Isa Guha will front the corporation’s daily television coverage across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, accompanied by a roster of experts and commentators including John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Pat Cash, Tim Henman, Annabel Croft and Kyle Edmund.
This year’s tournament will mark Andrew Castle’s final stint with the BBC, concluding more than two decades of Wimbledon commentary. Former champions and tennis luminaries Andre Agassi, Jamie Murray OBE, Genie Bouchard and Laura Robson will also feature.
View 3 ImagesClare Balding will again front the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage(Image: Getty)
Jamie Murray, a two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, joins as a dedicated analysis expert. Utilising enhanced match data, advanced technology and tactical breakdowns, he will seek to provide viewers with deeper insight.
Agassi will join the BBC team for the latter stages of the tournament. BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski: “Our aim is simple: to bring audiences closer to each story and moment that defines Wimbledon, whether they are watching clips on their phone, TV, listening to the radio or following live text.”
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