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Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sue Barker said she 'didn't want to give up' her Wimbledon job after leaving BBC
Sue Barker said she 'didn't want to give up' her Wimbledon job after leaving BBC Sue Barker was the face of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage for 22 years before she walked away from the role following the 2022 men's singles final at the All England Club Sue Barker didn't want to leave her Wimbledon role (Image: BBC ) Sue Barker claimed she didn't want to stop presenting Wimbledon despite admitting it was her call to step down from the iconic BBC role. The former tennis star anchored the broadcaster's coverage of SW19 between 2000 and 2022. During her tenure, Barker became synonymous with Wimbledon for countless tennis fans. She bid an emotional goodbye after 22 years following the men's singles final clash between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. And the 69-year-old explained on Lorraine that she could have continued in her beloved role for three more years, but she felt it was time to hand over the reins. Barker said: "I will miss it terribly, I wish I was 30 years younger and starting out. I loved the job and I didn't want to give it up but I felt it was the right time and I could walk out with my head held high, which I was able to do. This was very much my choice." Barker went on to discuss her emotional farewell as Clare Balding and John McEnroe led the plaudits from the commentary box after the final. "The Centre Court standing ovation was, without question, the greatest moment in my career. By a long way. I am going to get emotional even thinking about it now," the former French Open winner continued. Barker covered many legendary moments at the tournament, including Andy Murray's historic victory in 2013 when he became the first Brit to win since Fred Perry in 1936. There, she found herself in hot water with BBC bosses for deviating from the script to deliver a more heartfelt speech celebrating the win. Article continues below Barker is sometimes still seen at matches at the All England Lawn Tennis Club and was recently spotted watching Cameron Norrie's loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles semi-final earlier this week. Sue Barker returned to Wimbledon in 2024 to interview Andy Murray (Image: Getty ) Since stepping down, she also made a brief return for an on-court interview with Murray following his final Wimbledon match in 2024. The legendary presenter then made a comeback to Wimbledon in a different capacity ahead of the 2025 edition, teaming up with Emirates Airlines for a promotional campaign. In a tongue-in-cheek role dubbed 'the perfectionist', she was tasked with ensuring the lines were painted correctly, the net was at the right height and the cake in the Emirates hospitality suite was up to scratch. As reported by CityAM, Barker was asked at an event in west London if she would ever consider presenting Wimbledon for a rival broadcaster like TNT Sports, who are also airing this year's men's and women's finals. She firmly stated that she wouldn't, citing the BBC as the peak of sports broadcasting. Article continues below However, she did confirm that Sky Sports had approached her early on after they replaced Amazon Prime as a significant rights holder for the ATP and WTA tours, but she declined the proposition. It's understood that no formal offer was extended to Barker, as Sky was merely exploring their options upon their return to tennis coverage last year. After Barker's exit, veteran BBC sports presenter Balding assumed the lead role at Wimbledon. She is supported by British cricket commentator Isa Guha, who usually takes the lead in the earlier part of the day's coverage.
Edinburgh Live
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC viewers astounded at Sue Barker's treatment after legend's Wimbledon return
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info BBC commentator Andrew Castle and viewers alike were taken aback to see Sue Barker at Wimbledon on Tuesday. Barker was spotted in the Centre Court crowd as Cameron Norrie bowed out to Carlos Alcaraz, dashing British singles hopes. Having carved her name as a Wimbledon icon by reaching the tournament's semi-finals in her playing days and later becoming synonymous with BBC's coverage, the French Open champ presented for 22 years before bowing out, although she made a comeback for an on-court chat with Andy Murray in his final outing. Nowadays, Barker graces SW19 on occasion and unexpectedly popped up on Tuesday, much to the surprise of her former co-worker and one-time British No. 1, Castle. The broadcasting legend was not listed amongst the day's VIP guests. "Is that Sue Barker up there?" Castle enquired of fellow commentator John McEnroe. "Where's Sue? What is she doing up there? I didn't see her on the list," reports the Mirror. The cameras later zoomed in on Barker during a lull in the action, revealing her location in the members' enclosure instead of the prestigious Royal Box. "Ah, [she's in a] box. Nearly in the Royal Box," observed Castle. "That's the Royal Box over there. Maybe next time. Member's enclosure. Not bad." Social media buzz saw some Wimbledon fans questioning why Barker wasn't sitting in the most coveted spot of the grounds. One tweeted via X: "If anybody should be in the Royal box, it's Sue Barker!". "Disgraceful that Sue Barker isn't in the Royal Box," another fan exclaimed. One social media user believed some strings should have been pulled: "Surely @AndrewCastle63 Tim can get Sue Barker into the royal box with his contacts? She's a Wimbledon legend." Another commenter speculated on why Barker might have chosen her seat: "Sue Barker keeping her name off the list so Castle can't track her down. Played," they quipped. Off-camera, tennis icon Billie Jean King had a catch-up with Barker and even shared a snapshot of the two. "Look who I found: the legendary Sue Barker," she posted on X. "Sue won 15 WTA titles, and then enjoyed an incredible 30-year sports broadcasting career." Reflecting on her illustrious career as she stepped down from presenting Wimbledon in 2022, the 69 year old had nothing but fond memories of her time in broadcasting. Barker reflected: "What a wonderful time I've had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me."
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Wimbledon fans outraged over Sue Barker's 'disgraceful' treatment after surprise appearance
BBC Wimbledon fans outraged over Sue Barker's 'disgraceful' treatment after surprise appearance Sue Barker was in the crowd at Wimbledon but fans nothing shy than astonished over the tennis legends treament Sue Barker's surprise appearance at Wimbledon on Tuesday (July 9) left both BBC commentator Andrew Castle and viewers at home taken aback. While spectating at Centre Court, she witnessed Cameron Norrie's defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, which dashed the remaining British hopes in the singles competition. Having once reached the semi-final of Wimbledon during her playing days and subsequently rising to become the face of the BBC's tennis coverage, Sue is quite the legend within the tournament. The French Open champion presided over BBC's Wimbledon broadcasts for 22 years before retiring from her role, though she did return to interview Andy Murray during his last appearance. These days, she is occasionally seen amongst the spectators at SW19; however, her presence on Tuesday was unexpected by her former colleague and ex-British No. 1, Andrew Castle. Unbeknownst to him, the esteemed presenter was not listed amongst the day's VIP guests. Article continues below Sue Barker was in attendance at Wimbledon (Image: BBC ) Wimbledon grass seeds used in brand new gin ahead of Championships READ MORE: Katherine Jenkins outed Sue Barker for breaking golden Wimbledon rule READ MORE: "Is that Sue Barker up there?" he enquired of fellow commentator John McEnroe, bewildered. "Where's Sue? What is she doing up there? I didn't see her on the list," reports the Mirror. Later, the cameras caught Sue in the crowd during a lull in the match. She was found to be sitting in the members' enclosure rather than the Royal Box. Sue Barker was not in the Royal Box on Tuesday (Image: BBC ) "Ah, [she's in a] box. Nearly in the Royal Box," noted commentator Andrew. "That's the Royal Box over there. Maybe next time. Member's enclosure. Not bad." On social media, some fans echoed the sentiment that the tennis star deserved a seat in the prestigious Royal Box at the tournament. A fan commented: "If anybody should be in the Royal box, it's Sue Barker!" "Disgraceful that Sue Barker isn't in the Royal Box," commented another observer. Meanwhile, one Twitter user was convinced connections could be made: "Surely @AndrewCastle63, Tim can get Sue Barker into the royal box with his contacts? She's a Wimbledon legend." Sue Barker is a Wimbledon legend (Image: Getty Images ) Another commenter speculated on why she wasn't spotted there: "Sue Barker keeping her name off the list so [Andrew] Castle can't track her down. Played," they quipped. Away from the public gaze, tennis great Billie Jean King enjoyed a catch-up with Sue and took to social media to share a moment between them. "Look who I found: the legendary Sue Barker," she posted. Celebrating her achievements, Billie noted: "Sue won 15 WTA titles, and then enjoyed an incredible 30-year sports broadcasting career." Sue reflected fondly on her illustrious career in broadcasting during her last appearance at Wimbledon in 2022. Article continues below At age 69, she expressed heartfelt sentiments about her experience, stating: "What a wonderful time I've had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years, I feel the time is right for me." The Wimbledon tournament is currently airing on BBC 1 and can also be streamed via BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Wimbledon fans astonished by Sue Barker treatment after BBC presenter's return
Sue Barker is a Wimbledon legend and was spotted in the crowd as Cameron Norrie faced off against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the tournament on Centre Court Sue Barker's Wimbledon attendance left BBC commentator Andrew Castle and fans at home astonished on Tuesday. Barker was in attendance at Centre Court as Cameron Norrie was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz to end British hopes in the singles draw. Barker became a staple of Wimbledon coverage having reached the tournament's semi-final during her playing career before becoming the face of the BBC's broadcast. The French Open winner anchored coverage for 22 years before stepping down from the responsibility but returned for an on-court interview of Andy Murray in his final appearance. And now, on occasion, Barker can be spotted in the SW19 crowd but on Tuesday caught long-time colleague and ex-British No.1 Castle off guard. The legendary BBC presenter had not been among the announced guests of the day. "Is that Sue Barker up there?" Castle asked co-commentator John McEnroe. "Where's Sue? What is she doing up there? I didn't see her on the list." Cameras later returned to Barker in the crowd amidst a brief pause in play. It emerged that she was was seated in the members' enclosure rather than the Royal Box. "Ah, [she's in a] box. Nearly in the Royal Box," Castle said. "That's the Royal Box over there. Maybe next time. Member's enclosure. Not bad." And some fans on social media appeared to share the indignation that Barker had not been afforded a place in the tournament's most prestigious spot. One supporter said on X: "If anybody should be in the Royal box, it's Sue Barker!" "Disgraceful that Sue Barker isn't in the Royal Box," added another. One user suggested string should have been pulled: "Surely @AndrewCastle63 Tim can get Sue Barker into the royal box with his contacts? She's a Wimbledon legend." A further social media user suggested a reason for Barker's seating. "Sue Barker keeping her name off the list so Castle can't track her down. Played," they said. Behind the scenes, tennis legend Billie Jean King caught up with Barker however, and snapped a picture of the pair together. "Look who I found: the legendary Sue Barker," she said on X. "Sue won 15 WTA titles, and then enjoyed an incredible 30-year sports broadcasting career." Speaking at the end of her time presenting Wimbledon in 2022, the 69-year-old had only positive words to say about her time working in broadcasting. Barker said: "What a wonderful time I've had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me."
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Maybe next time' – BBC commentator shocked at Sue Barker's seat after iconic presenter's surprise Wimbledon appearance
Tennis fans were equally as stunned by Barker's seat 'DISGRACEFUL' Maybe next time' – BBC commentator shocked at Sue Barker's seat after iconic presenter's surprise Wimbledon appearance SUE BARKER's appearance at Cameron Norrie's Wimbledon clash with Carlos Alcaraz stunned BBC commentator Andrew Castle. But the veteran broadcaster was more shocked by Barker missing out on a seat in the Royal Box. Advertisement 4 Sue Barker was a surprise spectator for Cameron Norrie's Wimbledon clash with Carlos Alcaraz Credit: BBC 4 The former long-time Wimbledon presenter had one of the best seats in the house Credit: BBC 4 BBC commentator Andrew Castle was stunned not to see his former colleague in the Royal Box Credit: BBC Barker has seldom been spotted at SW19 since calling time on her 22-year-long stint heading up the Beeb's coverage of the annual summer tennis tournament. But cameras caught the British sports presenting icon taking in the Centre Court match on Tuesday. Barker, 69, briefly came up on the screen after a replay of a beautifully deft shot from Spaniard Alcaraz. But it was long enough for a stunned Castle to ask co-commentator John McEnroe: "Is that Sue Barker up there? Advertisement "Where's Sue? What is she doing up there? I didn't see her on the list." After a brief pause in the action, cameras panned back to Barker, who was sitting in the Members' enclosure. And Castle was seemingly taken aback by her seat for the pulsating match. He said: "Ah, [she's in a] box. Nearly in the Royal Box. Advertisement JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 WIMBLEDON 2025 LIVE - FOLLOW ALL THE LATEST SCORES AND UPDATES FROM A THRILLING FORTNIGHT AT SW19 "That's the Royal Box over there. Maybe next time. Member's enclosure. Not bad." Advertisement Tennis fans were seemingly as stunned by Castle, with one writing on X: " If anybody should be in the Royal box, it's Sue Barker!" Sue Barker returns to Wimbledon in new role a year after legendary BBC presenter's emotional Andy Murray interview Another said: "Surely @AndrewCastle63 can get Sue Barker into the royal box with his contacts? She's a Wimbledon legend." And another said: "Disgraceful that Sue Barker isn't in the Royal Box." Barker - the 1976 French Open winner - called time on her 30-year stint with the Beeb after the 2022 instalment of Wimbledon. Advertisement Ahead of her departure, she said: "What a wonderful time I've had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. "I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me. "I've worked with the best of the best."
