Latest news with #Wimbledon:APersonalHistory
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘I'm a Wimbledon and BBC icon – I was told off after nearly burning down studio'
Wimbledon returns to action on Monday, but the Grand Slam was almost hit by disaster after one tennis legend started a fire in the BBC studio during a broadcast Wimbledon icon Sue Barker once had a close call that could have led to a fiery disaster at the BBC media centre. The former French Open winner, who became a staple of Wimbledon coverage for nearly three decades, almost caused a scary scene at the All England Club. In her 2024 book Wimbledon: A Personal History (via the Daily Express), Barker shared her experiences from her junior days at SW19 to retiring from commentary more than 50 years later, including the story of how she nearly 'burnt down' the BBC studio. As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships get underway on Monday, her former colleagues will be keen to avoid any repeats of that incident. Barker, 69, lauded tennis great Martina Navratilova for her contribution while recounting the near-catastrophic event. And she revealed she even had to play it cool mid-broadcast while part of the studio caught fire nearby. "I was always grateful that she, like Chrissie [Evert] and Tracy [Austin], would pop into the BBC studio as my guest," she wrote. "There's nothing she doesn't know about Wimbledon. She was my unfortunate guest one year when I nearly burned down the studio and possibly the whole media centre." Barker described how, during a particularly rainy day at Wimbledon, Navratilova joined her in the studio to assist with filling the airtime. However, things quickly went from bad to worse. The retired presenter went on to discuss her habit of keeping detailed research notes close at hand for reference. However, due to the management's preference for a neat desk, she tucked the pages out of sight underneath, which nearly resulted in catastrophe. "As Martina and I were chatting away I suddenly saw my floor manager Liz looking worried and talking in an animated fashion to the gallery," she continued. "The next minute I heard Martin Hopkins, the producer, say, 'There's a smell of smoke in the studio'. Everyone was looking concerned. "Martin told me to link to a VT, but the only one available was one that Martina and I had to talk over - but at least it would give Liz and the team a chance to do a sweep of the studio. Just as Martina and I started talking over the footage, I was aware of an intense burst of heat around my legs. "Flames started flickering up from under my desk. Stupidly, I had put my spare notes on top of the 'hot' lights instead of on the shelf next to them. "There was chaos as we fanned the flames and threw the remaining notes on the floor. I still carried on commentating over the footage, slightly breathlessly, as Martina and I wrestled the flames. Liz joined in, stamping on them. One of the crew rushed in with a fire extinguisher (which wasn't needed thankfully). "I'm pleased to say the flames were put out, but the smell of smoke lingered for some time. No one at home would have known of the drama, but we had a good laugh when finally we handed back to live coverage of Centre Court. "My laughter soon departed when the health and safety team told me in no uncertain terms how dangerous my inadvertent action had been. And I had no excuse as I was always given a safety briefing prior to The Championships and these lights were the number one priority. Needless to say my whole studio crew were relieved when LED lighting came in." Barker announced her decision to step down as host of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage in 2022 after that year's tournament. She was succeeded by Clare Balding, who has partnered with former cricketer Isa Guha to present the action from SW19 in recent years.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Emma Raducanu astounded Sue Barker as Brit told she should've forked out on huge bonus
Emma Raducanu astounded Sue Barker as Brit told she should've forked out on huge bonus Emma Raducanu stunned former BBC presenter and tennis legend Sue Barker with her choices after winning the US Open in 2021 Emma Raducanu chose to change her coach after winning the US Open (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis, Getty Images ) Tennis legend Sue Barker has revealed her surprise at Emma Raducanu's decisions after triumphing at the 2021 US Open. The young star's remarkable win without dropping a set was history-making, with Raducanu becoming the first qualifier in the modern era to secure a Grand Slam title. However, not long after her victory at Flushing Meadows, Raducanu cut ties with coach Andrew Richardson after choosing not to extend their partnership. Earlier in the year, Raducanu had briefly worked with Nigel Sears before appointing Richardson, an agreement that ended soon after they achieved US Open glory together. Barker expressed her disbelief at these moves by Raducanu, suggesting that Richardson should have been rewarded instead of having to look for new opportunities. In her book, 'Wimbledon: A Personal History', Barker shared her thoughts on Raducanu's coaching changes: "I admit I was as shocked as anyone after Wimbledon when I heard she had left her coach, the very experienced and respected Nigel Sears (Andy Murray's father-in-law), the man who had steered her through her astonishing Grand Slam breakthrough. "But that isn't close to how astounded I was when she sacked Andrew Richardson, a former player turned coach who had helped Raducanu in her younger years and was brought in to guide her through her American tour culminating in her extraordinary US Open victory. "How any player who goes through three qualifying rounds and seven main-draw matches without dropping a set to take the title in only their second Grand Slam can then sack their coach is beyond me. What more could he have possibly done? Article continues below "Andrew should have received a huge bonus, not a P45! I wish she had added to her team, and not dismantled it, and remained loyal to a coach who made her dream come true." Sue Barker hosted tennis coverage on the BBC until 2022 (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images ) Raducanu has since dealt with several injury problems and recently withdrew from the Berlin Open. However, she has managed some standout moments in the first half of 2025. The 22-year-old made it to the Miami Open quarter-finals, marking her top performance yet at a WTA 1000 tournament. More recently, Raducanu enjoyed her run to the quarter-finals at Queen's Club during the WTA Tour's celebrated return to the venue for the first time in over four decades. After her showing at Queen's, Raducanu regained the British No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years. On Monday, it was confirmed that she climbed to World No. 36, outpacing Katie Boulter, who now sits at No.39 after falling five spots. Looking ahead, Raducanu's prospects appear bright as she is set to partner with five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles at the upcoming US Open. Their pairing is among several star-studded alliances expected to draw attention this August. Fresh from winning the French Open, Alcaraz spoke about his excitement at teaming up with Raducanu. Emma Raducanu will hope to replicate her US Open success at another Grand Slam (Image: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images ) "She's gonna be the boss," Alcaraz said. "Yeah, I mean, the US Open came to us and gave us opportunities to play mixed doubles. I'm super excited about it. I think it's going to be great. It was an amazing idea for the tournament. "Yeah, I've known Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have really good relationship with her. So it's just gonna be interesting. You know, obviously both, you know, we are gonna enjoy, for sure. I will try, you know, to put my doubles skill on it. We will try to win. But obviously it's going to be really, really fun." Article continues below However, when Alcaraz reached out to Raducanu to play doubles, he had to patiently wait for an answer. "Yeah. I mean, the [US Open] told us about the tournament, the mixed tournament," he continued. "I was thinking that I couldn't play better if it wasn't with Emma. I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. Yeah, I made that special request." He jokingly added, "She took a while," as he laughed. "No, not that much, not that much. But obviously she had to ask, and she had to think a little bit. But it wasn't immediate, so.."
