This year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament will mark the end of an era. No, Roger Federer did not announce that he was surrounded by rockets; instead, veteran BBC presenter Sue Barker confirmed that he will hang up the microphone after 30 years.
Barker has revealed that his 2022 engagements will be his last coverage of the Grand Slam tournament in South West London.
The presenter was one of the most successful British players, winning the French Open in 1976 and reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals the following year. He joined the UK’s leading tournament team in 1993 and has been a leading network broadcaster since 2000.
The BBC offered Barker a three-year contract extension, but he decided to quit after his mother died earlier this year.
She told the Daily Mail of her decision: “Basically I feel it’s time. It was my dream job and I have enjoyed every minute of the work of so many wonderful colleagues that I miss so much.
“When I started, I never thought it would last 30 years. I actually decided to go in 2017 as the hours were getting really long and quite busy. It would be 25 years and it seemed like a good time, but I’m so glad I decided to stay.
“I am very happy to leave without regrets and on my terms, while I am still at work, it is a good time to leave and leave for the others.”
The BBC’s Tim Davey praised Barker’s achievements at the tournament, saying, “Sue Barker has been the face and voice of Wimbledon for three decades. Many of our viewers don’t know summer in SW19 without him. He is the perfect professional, an outstanding presenter and an excellent colleague to be loved by current and former players, all of us at the BBC and audiences in the UK and beyond.
“Her contribution to tennis, the BBC, sports presentation and broadcast on the women’s court cannot be underestimated.”
Like Wimbledon, Barker hosted the BBC quiz until last year. sports readingAnd for a long time one of the main anchors sportsman of the year. He has also spent many years in action, co-hosting the Olympics and other sporting events around the world.
Source: Deadline
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