The infamous BBC coverage of Wimbledon is for people who don't like sports.

The BBC acted more like cheerleader Cathy Boulter than a serious sports broadcaster. Credit: PA/Zac Goodwin

We live in a divided time, but according to recent correspondence from Telegraph Sport readers, there are three things everyone can agree on. The first one is about poor old Jake Humphrey, which seems to really bring that out in people. Secondly, it is a strong belief that important sporting events should be broadcast on free television.

And third, annoyance at the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon, which makes blood boil from Cornwall to Stornoway. While there isn't much that can be done with Jake, you have to wonder if two and three topics clash and that we may all need to rethink our views.

Because the BBC has effectively withdrawn from TV tennis for the other 50 weeks of the year, those two weeks exist as a stand-alone event, and that results in terrible TV for sports fans. Of course, the BBC's coverage is far inferior to that of Eurosport and Amazon Prime Video, whose presenters, experts and producers work all year round: experienced, well-prepared, confident in what they are trying to do and for whom.

In contrast, the BBC proposal seems to be afraid of getting too carried away with real tennis for fear of alienating some imaginary casual fan, an imaginary spectator who is interested in giggling chatter, celebrity-watching, reassured by the presence of comfortingly familiar people. individuals from other BBC sites swear allegiance to the dictate that the primary purpose of sport is to be a vehicle for social change.

Analysis, challenge, understanding and debate have all been left on the side of the road this year for a friendly event with participation medals, squandering the talents of some of the great broadcasters and providing a cozy, fun festival rather than a gladiatorial one. an elite sport, but a cohesive one.

If a friend to all is not a friend to anyone, then this is a sport for those who don't like sports, and cheerleading has reached an embarrassing level this year, especially in Cathy Boulter's matchup on Saturday night. Being the No. 1 British tennis player — the most stylish Greggs branch, the cleanest public toilet in France, the highest dachshund in the world — all this is very good, but it was quite clear that Elena Rybakina, the defending champion.

And so it went, but judging by the BBC report, you might get the impression that this was a heroic effort of Our Girl, losing nothing in defeat, performed on her shield, etc. and etc., etc. Get away from it. Rybakina had difficulty shifting into first gear.

Not to pick on individuals, but, with the obvious exception of Sir Andy Murray and the occasional runs of Tim Henman, Johannesburg native Cameron Norrie or Sydney native Jo Konta, Boulter and most of the best Britons throughout my life have been fortunate enough to share the court with their the inevitable winners of Wimbledon.

For the beebs to pretend that this is not the case, or that they have a lot of interesting things as tennis players other than the right nationality, is childish, and while there is nothing wrong with a little mild patriotism, the balance has become completely skewed.

Andy Murray's bar — and the occasional deep run from Tim Henman, Cam Norrie and Joe Konta — most of Britain's tennis talents. their inevitable Wimbledon winners. Photo: AFP/Adrian Dennis

The annoyance of iPlayer outages, the need to change channels and the two-week absence of the British is annoying, if perhaps unavoidable, but the broader problem is that BBC TV's coverage of Wimbledon is not a sporting event, but an event of general interest. Maybe tennis, maybe Glastonbury.

Reduction of everything to human interests, «very personal journeys», a patronizing fear of losing people if they are not spoon-fed, the desire to find a bien pensant «narrative» at all costs: they are all familiar from others parts of the Beeb TV output. Increasingly, it seems that if you have a practical understanding of any topic, you will be disappointed and spoken down.

I think I watched several hours of each Test match in England on TV. I played this millennium and still learn some things from the Sky reports; it seems incredible that anyone can say the same about tennis on Bib. Is it the same with BBC politics, news, climate issues?

I have no right to comment, although I really hope that this is not so. But, at least in terms of free-to-air sports, earthy doesn't have to mean formless and empty. Sports fans deserve the best.