BBC pundit makes pointed dig at Britain during live Wimbledon coverage | Tennis | Sport

Wimbledon pundit Eugenie Bouchard took a dig at Britain’s rule of Canada during the BBC’s live coverage on Wednesday afternoon. Jannik Sinner beat Nuno Borges in straight sets on Centre Court to start proceedings on day three.

Bouchard, who is a BBC pundit for the first time this year, joined Clare Balding and Anne Keothavong in the studio on Henman Hill. And Balding started the segment by saying: “Genie, happy Canada Day.”

July 1 is a public holiday traditionally celebrated as Canada Day – otherwise known as the birthday of Canada. It is their version of Independence Day that signifies when they were allowed to form their own government to manage its own internal and domestic affairs in 1867. Prior to the, Britain ruled Canada and they did not completely sever their soverign ties until 1982.

Bouchard was keen to point out Britain’s rule in a pointed dig.

“Thank you,” Bouchard replied to Balding. “I wore red in honour and I’ve seen a few Canadian flags out in the grounds.

“Thank you for letting us become independent so many years ago.”

Balding concluded: “You’re welcome [chuckles].”

There is Canadian representation in the men’s draw on Wednesday as No.3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime takes on Dino Prizmic this evening on Court 1.

The 25-year-old beat Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets in round one but faces a daunting run at SW19 having been drawn in the same half as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

“I do sometimes [look at the draw] (smiling) with my team or other players in the locker room,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“We kind of look at the draw and we think, Oh, this guy is playing really good. I’m calling quarters for this guy or semis for this guy.

“I haven’t now dissected the whole draw so I can’t even tell you what my bet would be for the other side of the draw. But a lot of quality obviously everywhere in the draw, a lot of hungry players that are trying to make their mark in this Grand Slam.”