British broadcaster Andrew Castle has issued a warning amid threats to the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon as other broadcasters circle.
This year will see the famous tennis competition watched on a different platform in this country for the first time in 88 years.
TNT Sports have acquired the rights package from Eurosport after it ceased UK operations in February.
And while the BBC will maintain more comprehensive coverage of Wimbledon, it has sparked rumours that the national broadcaster could lose it for good with Netflix and Amazon Prime reported to be interested.
Wimbledon will be shown on a different broadcaster this year other than the BBC for the first time in 88 years
PA
However, Castle, who works for the Beeb, has lashed out at that possibility and insisted that Wimbledon must remain on free-to-air TV.
"I don’t think they ever would [allow a rival broadcaster to take over]," the former British tennis player Castle said, speaking to Betway.
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"In terms of a domestic audience in the UK is concerned, I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t on the BBC and free to air.
"But I’ve been surprised before. I just don’t see why or the particular benefit and that’s what matters to me.
"It’s an institution and an event, not a tennis tournament. As long as people see it because it is the big showcase.
"When I think of Wimbledon on the BBC, what is really lovely is there are no commercial breaks.
"And from my point of view in commentary, I’ve got to think about what we are going to talk about in the breaks with Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Nick Kyrgios – that’s what I’m thinking about towards the end of a game."
Wimbledon has long been a major sporting event in this country and 7.5 million people tuned in to watch last year's final.
Carlos Alcaraz came out on top on that occasion after beating Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final.
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Andrew Castle lambasted other broadcasters potentially
However, those numbers could swell amid Jack Draper fever, who has had a monstrous 12 months and broke into the top-five in the ATP rankings.
It comes after a sensational few months where the 23-year-old, winning his first ATP 1000 title at Indian Wells, as well as reaching the semi-final of the Madrid Open.
And after an enthralling final between Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz at the French Open, interest has only revved up further with tennis seeing the emergence of several superstars.
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