Andy Murray sent BBC request at Wimbledon and urged to make U-turn

BBC commentator Andrew Castle has extended an invite to tennis legend Andy Murray to join him as part of the Beeb's team at Wimbledon. After hanging up his racket last summer and severing ties with coach Novak Djokovic in May, the two-time SW19 winner said he has no plans on attending the tournament this year.

Since retiring, the 38-year-old has been enjoying leisurely rounds of golf and quality family time. He's no stranger to broadcasting, having taken a crack at it in 2018 post-hip surgery. But unlike the pure joy of Grand Slam victories, commenting didn't quite hit an ace with him.

Nonetheless, Castle is convinced that BBC viewers would greatly benefit from Murray's insights as a triple Grand Slam victor. Speaking to Betway, Castle suggested a way to utilise Murray's expertise without overburdening him: "I'd love to hear what he has to say. I don't think it is something he is attracted to. I think he probably feels like we all just talk and he's right.

"We just talk so why would you want to be doing that? But if you heard Andy, and this is the way I would use him if I could, one or two lines per game and that's it from Andy Murray. Wouldn't that be awesome?

"I wouldn't want him sticking around like a Gary Neville for too long. It would be wonder to work with Andy because I am fascinated with how he sees the game and I would love to get him to share what's in his mind and his one-on-one combat brain.

"I would love him to share that with the audience, and I'd love to hear it. Maybe one day it can happen but the next time I see him, I'm going to say give us a match or two. He will say what are you offering and I'll say nothing, but I wonder if we could tempt him for a match or two?

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"I would absolutely adore that. John McEnroe is absolutely incredible when he is into a match, it's so sharp. The same with Boris Becker, Tim Henman, Nick Krygios who sees something and says it so well and is very articulate and then there's Martina Navratilova.

"I've also worked with Martina who is phenomenal to listen to. My job is to keep things rolling whereas they have that edge that only they know. The commentary box is great."

In a recent chat with the BBC about the drawbacks of social media, Murray revealed he had no intentions of attending Wimbledon this year. "I'm not missing [tennis] yet. Maybe when Wimbledon starts I might feel differently," he expressed.

"I have got no plans to go. Maybe if there was a British player in the final or something I might go along to watch, but I'm not planning on going."