To watch the reception that Andy Murray got when overcoming the First Round of Wimbledon in 2021 was surreal. The Scot is one of the finest Britons to ever pick up tennis, and has won several Grand Slam events – at one stage, he was not far off the same level as the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. However, injuries have decimated what was a stellar career to the point where simply overcoming any opponent at Wimbledon level is now seen as a major achievement.

One man who seen Murray’s rise, peak, and eventual decline is Andrew Castle. The commentator, a former pro himself, is a well-respected name within British tennis. Though he never achieved Grand Slam glory himself, he did commentate on Murray’s most famous success. In an illuminating interview with sports betting site Betway, Castle opened up on what it meant to commentate on the biggest moment in modern British tennis history – Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013.

Speaking on the seismic nature of the event, Castle, who commentated on the Final, said: “Ultimately, you don’t plan a winning line. The great thing about commentary is that you can use silence as a tool, and let the pictures do the work.

“Murray had three championship points at 40-0 up in the final game, lost them all, and was back at 40-40. The director pushed into Murray’s eyes and what you could see was a man trying with all of his heart and soul, feeling every emotion going.

“It was a beautiful shot. All I had to do was give a little line and back off. Throughout that game I kind of knew it was my job to lead viewers through the emotional turmoil.

“Something like 72 per cent of UK televisions were watching, so that was quite a responsibility. Hopefully we did it justice.”

What about Andy Murray in 2021?

Castle also was pushed on what he makes of the current edition of Murray. Though hip surgery has brought him back to the court after what was essentially retirement, Castle believes that more can come. Though Murray lasted a shorter period than many dreamed in the 2021 edition of Wimbledon, Castle is optimistic for the future.

Asked on what to expect, he said: “He said after his first match that he can’t understand why people keep asking him if this might be the end, which is just perfect, really, because there’s no feeling like winning.

“He’s still doing it, he can still compete. Why would you stop? He’s still thrilled that he’s out there, as am I.”

As someone who has been there and done it on the court as well as in the gantry, few have the dual-experience of Castle. And while he might not have reached the peak that Murray did, he laid the groundwork for a generation of British talent and has provided the nation with insightful commentary for many years now. Long may it continue.