Andy Murray rejects BBC Wimbledon punditry, turns to YouTube

Andy Murray says he turned down BBC punditry work at Wimbledon because he finds the broadcaster’s “down-the-middle” coverage uninspiring, while he prepares to launch The Set with brother Jamie on YouTube. He also outlined efforts to limit social media use and

Andy Murray’s Wimbledon plans now come with a clear line drawn in the sand.

The 39-year-old British tennis icon has revealed he turned down BBC punditry work at the tournament. arguing the broadcaster’s coverage is too “down the middle” to excite him. In an interview with the Telegraph about his new project. Murray said he doesn’t find tennis commentary and coverage “that interesting or that insightful. ” and that he doesn’t expect Wimbledon to be “done in a very different way.”.

Instead of heading back into the BBC studio. Murray is preparing to become the kind of tennis voice that doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s script. He is launching a new tennis podcast on YouTube called The Set with his brother Jamie. created by the same production team that conceived Gary Neville’s The Overlap. The debut episode is scheduled for 5pm on Friday.

The Set’s first outing will aim at a target far beyond traditional tournament audiences: Murray and his brother will try to teach social media influencer and Dagenham & Redbridge owner KSI how to improve his backhand game. Later episodes are set to see the Scottish siblings playing tennis with a series of household objects. including chopping boards. bin lids. and a copy of their mother Judy’s biography.

Murray’s pitch for YouTube over mainstream broadcasting comes down to control and freedom. He said The Set offers “total flexibility” over filming hours and that there are “no restrictions on what we can and can’t do.” He also admitted that. while he hasn’t always enjoyed interviews in front of the camera. the YouTube side of his work has been fun. Murray pointed to past collaborations with golf influencers the Fore Bros, as well as Ian Poulter and Kevin Pietersen.

As he pushes into this new spotlight. Murray has also taken deliberate steps to keep social media from swallowing his own time. He told the Telegraph he “got rid of social media on my phone. ” saying he was wasting too much time and was given a device—described as a “brick”—that only allows phone calls. with apps and websites disabled. “So hopefully being a little bit more productive,” he added.

The Wimbledon turncoat decision also lands alongside Murray’s stance on the UK government’s proposed limits on children’s access to social platforms. He is in full support of the social media ban for under-16s. He said YouTube is among the platforms set to be banned from Spring 2027, alongside Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X. Murray argued the measure “removes the difficult part of parenting. ” adding that his kids do not really watch YouTube and that they try to keep them off screens as much as possible. He said the family keeps children outside. “running around. playing sports and being active. ” with options including athletics and school sports such as hockey. netball. cricket. and football.

There is another thread running through Murray’s focus right now—coaching work that stays firmly attached to the real season. Alongside The Set, Murray is coaching British tennis player Jack Draper ahead of Wimbledon next week. Draper is set to make his return after being kept on the sidelines since April with a knee injury.

Draper’s comeback has already included a statement result at Eastbourne on Monday. when he defeated American Marcos Giron 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to win his first competitive match in months. Draper said he was “really grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me. ” and added: “Today was a performance a bit like what he used to do – winning ugly.”.

Murray’s decision to snub the BBC comes at a time when the familiar face of Wimbledon commentary is set to change too. Andrew Castle has revealed this year will be his last as a commentator at Wimbledon after more than two decades with the mic. Castle. 62. described it to The Times as “the best gig in sports broadcasting. ” saying: “It’s been a hell of a journey.” He added: “I can’t say I have enjoyed every minute because there have been moments of pressure and controversy. but it has been a huge privilege.”.

Castle said that when he got the job 23 years ago. more experienced commentators felt they should have been first in line. and he said their “noses were put out of joint.” He closed by describing his own run as lucky: he had the best gig in sports broadcasting “for so long. ” during what he called “the greatest age of men’s tennis.”.

Andy Murray BBC Wimbledon punditry The Set Jamie Murray YouTube podcast KSI Jack Draper Marcos Giron Eastbourne knee injury social media ban Spring 2027 Snapchat TikTok Instagram Facebook X Andrew Castle