Clare Balding breaks Wimbledon rule as BBC host makes live confession | Tennis | Sport

Clare Balding admitted to breaking one of the golden rules of broadcasting while live on air for the BBC at Wimbledon. The Beeb host said that she had a “favourite” at the tournament she was covering, as coverage recapped the day’s earlier matches. Having just witnessed the station switch away from tennis action on BBC1, in favour of the World Cup, Balding had a message for those who remained on BBC2 to witness events at SW19.

Balding talked over how Flavio Cobolli needed two days to beat Mariano Navone, and after his colourful on-court interview, she described the Italian as one of her “favourites”. This came after he bizarrely claimed he would “hit” his dad and struggled to stay still while being interviewed on court.

Balding then said: “I know we’re not meant to have favourites but he is one of my favourites. I love Flavio Cabolli. Although he clearly now needs a bit of anger management training.”