Sue Barker says she ‘didn’t want to be phased out’ from presenting Wimbledon

Sue Barker has revealed she ‘didn’t want to slowly move away’ from presenting Wimbledon – as she said she ‘looks forward to enjoying the championship as a fan this year’.

The BBC broadcaster decided last year it was time to hang up her mic – she chose to retire while ‘still on top’ of her career as one of the country’s leading TV presenters .

In addition to Wimbledon, Miss Barker has provided BBC coverage of the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Grand National.

Speak against BBC Women’s Hour, the presenter said she wanted to ‘stay on top forever’, adding: ‘I wanted to do Wimbledon on my own terms. BBC Sport offered me a new contract, but I knew that with age and time and with everything that happens over the next few years, I would be a bit phased out.’

Sue also said she had “traveled a lot” and “done a lot more” since stepping down from her role, continuing: “Now I don’t even have to listen to what the [tennis] commentators say or what the scores are. As a fan I can just enjoy it.’

On the show, Sue said: ‘Wimbledon is in my DNA, but Question of Sport was such a fun programme. My dad and I used to watch it all the time when I was growing up.

“When I was asked to join, it was so much fun. It was such a nice program to do for so many years.

“I’ve been so lucky to have two careers that I absolutely love.”

Meanwhile, she also commented on her decision to leave Wimbledon last year, adding that she ‘didn’t want to be ‘phased out’ by the BBC.

She explained, “Wimbledon, you climb to the top of it. I wanted to do the top job forever.

“I want to do it for another 30 years, I love it so much, I love the people I work with behind and in front of the camera.

“I know it was the right time to go.”

She called the standing ovation on her last day “a shock,” but added that she enjoyed having more time in the summer for pursuits other than tennis.

The BBC broadcaster decided last year it was time to hang up her mic – she chose to retire while ‘still on top’ of her career as one of the country’s leading TV presenters

Sue explained, “Normally at this time of year I would be deep in the books, writing all this stuff and watching every tournament. I did it months before Wimbledon.

“There are 128 players, men and women, and you have to think about each player. It’s really very difficult to do.

“Now I can sit with my feet up and watch the tennis, I don’t even have to listen to what the commentators are saying or what the scores are. As a fan I can just enjoy it.’

Before becoming a pioneer for women sports reporters, Miss Barker was a top tennis player.

She was once ranked No. 3 in the world, won the French Open in 1976 and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1977.

She famously had a relationship with Cliff Richard in the 1980s. The singer has said he came close to proposing. She is now married to landscape gardener Lance Tankard.

This summer, Alom will join Isa Guha on Today at Wimbledon, while Clare Balding will step into Sue Barker’s shoes

Miss Barker said that despite the controversial ban on players from Russia and Belarus due to the war in Ukraine, ‘I still think it’s going to be a great Wimbledon’.

Her many standout moments as a presenter include watching Andy Murray become Britain’s first male champion in 77 years in 2013 – and she won credit for her skilful handling of a court interview in 2012, when Murray broke down after losing the final to Roger Federer.

She received an avalanche of tributes when she left last summer, saying at the BT awards: ‘I think that was the most emotional thing that’s ever happened in my career. It is something I will absolutely cherish forever.”

Sue is leaving BBC coverage of Wimbledon after 30 years in the chair and Clare Balding will take over, along with veteran cricket presenter Isa Guha and lesser known Qasa Alom.

A huge tennis fan (and self-confessed tennis nerd), Alom has previously presented programs on Radio 4 about one of the sport’s most iconic stars, Arthur Ashe, and is also interested in cricket, rugby and athletics.

Yesterday, he posted on Twitter about his new gig, saying, “I’m really excited to be making great TV, talking to experts about the day’s action and having a little fun with it!” I’ve been following the news coverage since I was a kid. Now I can’t wait to be a part of it’

He added in a second tweet: “It’s fair to say today is a good day… I’m a bit obsessed with the sport – I remember commenting on my own backyard games as a kid , when I tried to serve like Goran. From that until now – yes, I’m going to do my best to do this program justice.’