BBC presenter Clare Balding issued an apology for a comment made on Wimbledon's live TV coverage by tennis legend John McEnroe on Wednesday.
The host, who took over the role from Sue Barker for this year's championships, was talking to the American tennis legend ahead of Thursday's quarter-final fixtures when she asked him about how facilities at SW19 had improved over the years.
However, his response caught her off guard and she felt obliged to apologise to viewers at home for what they had heard.
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Speaking to McEnroe and fellow pundit Tracy Austin as part of the afternoon coverage, Balding asked them: "This is all hugely improved facilities here. I'm imagining they didn't have this kind of stuff when you were [players]?"
"No," replied McEnroe. "I do wish in a certain way that we had all this sort of in our heads before, but I probably wouldn't have done it anyway!
"Times are a lot different, players and the team around them have a better understanding of what it takes to maximise your performance. Even us old farts would love to reach our true potential."
Looking unsure of his use of the word "farts", Balding turned to the camera and said: "Yes, if you heard that word I just apologise."
Not knowing what he had done wrong, McEnroe replied: "It's okay to say that, isn't it?"
"I think so," a flustered Balding responded: "I'm not sure, but just in case."
