Status: British television presenter for BBC Sport since 1992. From 1984-1992 worked for BBC Radio Sport. Has also worked for EuroSport.
DOB: April 1950 In: Swansea, Wales
First memory of tennis: Watching on television the 1956 Wimbledon final between Lew Hoad and Ken Rosewall.
Last book read: “Our Kind of Traitor” by John Le Carre.
Tennis inspirations: My father, John Crooke – coach to the Welsh National Junior squad, Ken Rosewall.
Favorite movies: The King’s Speech, Chariots of Fire, The Italian Job (original version), Ben Hur.
First job: Lawyer.
Childhood dreams: To win Wimbledon.
Greatest career moment: Umpiring and subsequently commentating on the Men’s Singles final at Wimbledon.
Most painful career moment: When I played on the equivalent of the Futures Circuit in 1971, realizing very quickly that I was never going to make a living as a tennis player.
Funny career memory: Commentating on a British Davis Cup tie in Poland, I sat under an umbrella as rain was coming through the roof of the commentary box and was in danger of dripping onto the electrical equipment.
Embarrassing career memory: While commentating on the French Open for BBC Television, saying that there had been ‘an erotic start’ to a match when I meant to say erratic.
Favorite players to watch (present and past): Rosewall, Laver, Graf, Edberg, Leconte, Federer.
Favorite sport outside tennis: Golf.
People qualities most admired: Honesty, modesty and a sense of humor.
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