London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

How John Bercow recalled DESTROYING Boris Johnson in epic tennis match

JOHN BERCOW recently revealed on Italian TV what it was like playing tennis with David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
John Bercow stood down as Commons Speaker at the end of October after 10 years in the role. Since then the former MP for Buckingham has lined up a series of lucrative public engagements. His election night punditry on Sky News earned him £60,000 and, on Christmas day, he delivered an alternative to the Queen's Christmas speech in which he called for more "personal courtesy" in politics and society.

The 56-year-old former MP also appeared on International TV, as a guest on the late-night Italian chat show ‘Che Tempo Che Fa’.

During the interview Mr Bercow recalled his time at Westminster, talked at length about Brexit and even revealed what it is like to play tennis with former Prime Minister David Cameron and Boris Johnson.

When asked by Italian presenter Fabio Fazio if you can understand someone’s personality by playing tennis with them, the former Speaker said: “Of course.

“You always learn.

“I have never played a single against David Cameron, only doubles.

“And when we played together, we got along really well.

“I can say this about him... When he made a mistake, he was like McEnroe.

“He got angry and started shouting.

“But when I made a mistake, he was tolerant and encouraging.

“He was a good partner.”

Regarding Mr Johnson, Mr Bercow added: “What can I say about him…

“Well… he lost every game in the set we played against.

“But I must admit, he took it well when he lost.”

Mr Bercow was Britain's top-ranking junior tennis player until glandular fever ended his hopes of turning professional.

He remains a qualified tennis coach.

When he stood down as Speaker in October, Mr Johnson paid homage to him by making reference to his former tennis career.

The Prime Minister said: "I know the whole House will want to join me in recording that, after ten tumultuous years, this is your last Prime Minister's questions.

“And as befits a distinguished former Wimbledon competitor, you have sat there in your high chair not just as an umpire – ruthlessly adjudicating on the finer points of Parliamentary procedure with your trademark Tony Montana scowl, not just as a commentator offering your own opinions on the rallies you are watching – sometimes acerbic and sometimes kindly - but above all, as a player in your own right, peppering every part of the chamber with your own thoughts and opinions like some tennis ball machine, delivering a series of literally unplayable, unreturnable... volleys and smashes.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×