Sue Barker is one of the most recognisable faces in tennis and is almost synonymous with the Wimbledon Championships.
Barker was the face of BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for 30 years, from 1993 to 2022, while also hosting “A Question of Sport” for 24 years, from 1997 to 2021.
During her broadcasting career, Barker also presented the Grand National and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Speaking on the BBC in 2022 during Barker’s last TV appearance, Billie Jean King said: “She’s an amazing example – if you want to be an amazing presenter, if you want to be anything in broadcasting – she’s the GOAT [greatest of all time].”
Ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon tournament, Barker revealed Jack Draper’s early-career thoughts about possibly quitting tennis.
Sue Barker wondered if Jack Draper would ever play again after shoulder injuries
Speaking to the Independent, Barker said: “Jack has just been a revelation.
“I spoke to him a couple of years ago when he was having shoulder issues and wondering whether he’d ever play again, and now to see him – what the heck was wrong with his shoulder, because now these bullets are coming out, the serve, the ground shots he’s hitting!
“Most impressive is physically how he’s changed.
“He’s super-strong now, but I guess he has to be to compete with the top guys.”
Draper, who has surged up the rankings over the last 18 months, suffered various shoulder injuries in 2023. This forced him to miss six months of the season and he subsequently dropped out of the top 100.
The 23-year-old won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in 2025 at Indian Wells and has continued to perform well in the lead up to Wimbledon, despite a semi-final loss to Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka at the Queen’s Club Championships.
The British star, who is the strongest British player going into Wimbledon, spoke at the Adelaide International in 2024 about what he had learned from his struggles through injury.
Draper said: “I think just one year older, I have matured a lot.
“I went through quite a lot of injuries last year, even though I think my ranking was around 38, 40, and currently I’m 62 in the world.
“I had to learn a lot about myself last year, and I dropped outside the Top 100. Had to grind myself back. I feel like I’m just a lot stronger mentally and I have a lot more perspective of being in a good position. In terms of my tennis, I feel like I’m improving. I’m trying to come forward more.
“I’m trying to win the points instead of letting the other players make a mistake or something, which is what I feel like I was trying to do last year. I feel like both things I’ve improved.”
Sue Barker’s momentous playing career, including a Grand Slam title
Sue Barker is far from just a television personality. During her playing career, she won 11 WTA Tour singles titles and 12 doubles titles, while also achieving the status of British number one.
Barker, who achieved a career-high ranking of number three in the world, achieved her most notable prize in 1976, when she won the French Open.
The now 69-year-old also made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1977, losing to Betty Stove 2-6 6-2 4-6. Stove ultimately lost the final to tennis legend Virginia Wade.
Barker’s successful playing career spanned 11 years; she turned professional in 1973, before retiring from the sport in 1984.
