Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Billie Jean King among those celebrating former champion as ‘simply the best’
Tennis stars have bid an emotional farewell to Sue Barker as she said she wished she could front the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for another three decades.
The 66-year-old was reduced to tears on Sunday after players including Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Billie Jean King called her “simply the best” in a moving tribute.
The former French Open champion had earlier walked off Centre Court for the last time with little fanfare, after 30 years of presenting the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage.
Fans said it was “shocking” that her departure was not marked on court after top seed Novak Djokovic’s victory over Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.
But John McEnroe later introduced a package of Barker’s highlights, as a player and a presenter, saying: “It’s time to say goodbye and farewell to the wonderful Susan Barker; [it’s] no easy job, I’ll tell you that. You see the thing about our Sue, she just is Wimbledon.”
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said of Barker: “You’ve been amazing for our sport. I’ve grown up watching you on the TV, and then obviously I’ve been interviewed by you many times. I’ve loved watching you on Question of Sport as well. You’re going to be sadly missed by everyone who loves and watches tennis in this country.”