Sue Barker to step down from BBC after 30 years with TV legend quitting after Wimbledon next month
SUE BARKER will step down from her role as BBC's Wimbledon presenter following the 2022 tournament.
The 66-year-old has spent the last 30 years as a huge part of the broadcaster's coverage in SW19.
Apart from Wimbledon, Barker also famously spent time hosting A Question of Sport, and was part of the BBC's coverage of the Olympics, Grand National, Sports Personality of the Year and more.
A statement from 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.
"I’ve worked with the best of the best."
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Barker first joined the BBC's Wimbledon coverage in 1993 and has anchored coverage of the tournament since 2000.
Her last day in the job will be Sunday, July 10 for the men's final.
Barker played tennis professionally before beginning her career in broadcasting following her retirement in 1984.
She won the 1976 French Open - the last Briton to do so - but her best result at Wimbledon was reaching the semi-finals in 1976.
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Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater labelled Barker as a "national treasure" and revealed the broadcaster had wanted her to continue in the job past this year's tournament.
She said: "Sue is a national treasure and we'd have loved for her to continue in her role for many years to come.
"We do of course respect her decision and understand why, after 30 years of leading Wimbledon presentation, she's ready to make this year her last.
"We thank Sue for the remarkable contribution she has made to sports broadcasting during what has been a truly extraordinary and illustrious career.
"A consummate professional who audiences will remember for her skill, authority and warmth on screen, Sue will be equally remembered with fondness and affection by colleagues who had the privilege to work alongside her, experiencing the same professionalism and warmth behind the scenes.”
Meanwhile BBC director-general Tim Davie said: "Sue Barker has been the face and voice of Wimbledon for three decades.
"Many of our viewers will not know of a summer in SW19 without her.
"She is a consummate professional, an outstanding presenter and a wonderful colleague, loved by current and former players, all of us at the BBC and audiences across the UK and beyond.
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"Her contribution to tennis, the BBC, sports presenting and for blazing a trail for women in broadcasting cannot be overstated.
"We are looking forward to her leading our coverage, with all the style, warmth and knowledge she has displayed for the last 30 years, and we will say farewell with heavy hearts at the end of the tournament."
