Sue Barker crosses the players’ bridge with Tim Henman on Sunday 10 July. Photograph: John Walton/PA The steward seemed to have the same thought. He looked at me and said: ‘Sue, I’d give up now if I were you.’ And I nearly cried with laughter. Forty-eight hours later, I got a call from one of Cliff’s friends, on his behalf, saying that Cliff just wanted to cool it. Our ‘relationship’ was over. Really? He’d asked his friend to pass on this message over the phone? W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record. My parents, however, were wary. They didn’t like the age difference of 16 years — I was 25, Cliff was 41 — and Dad warned me it could become a problem as we got older.

In March 1982, I was due to play an exhibition match in Denmark before returning to the UK. On the phone, Cliff asked if he could come to watch. Federer, the 20-time grand slam champion, said Barker had made him cry “maybe not only once but several times”. “Thank you for those incredible 30 years and everything you’ve done for the game of tennis,” he added. Other sporting events she has hosted have included the Grand National (2000–2007), the Derby (2001–2007), Racing at Ascot and Longchamp (1995–1999), Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, the Great North Run, World Athletics Championships and European Athletics Championships (1999–2009), BBC Sports Personality of the Year (1994–2012), Commonwealth Games (1994–2010), Summer Olympics (1996–2012) and Winter Olympics (1994–2010).This is an interesting read of one of this countries favourite personalities that I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to. a b Clout, Laura (9 July 2008). "Sue Barker wins BBC contract to cover 2012 London Olympics". The Daily Telegraph. London . Retrieved 29 December 2012.

But I have to say being in Cliff’s company was a lot of fun. He got on well with my family and friends. They were all impressed by his behaviour with fans — he never flinched when he was approached in public, and was always happy to do a personalised autograph. The next day, I was flying to Japan. When we arrived at the hotel in Tokyo, there was a telegram from Cliff, wishing me all the best in my matches and hoping to see me again. So I knew he was keen. Another of his comments was: ‘She asked me what I was doing next Saturday . . . and I didn’t like that — it was a bit intrusive or serious.’ Really? I don’t ask my husband what we’re doing next Saturday; I tell him.

Barker won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles, with wins over Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Evonne Goolagong, Tracy Austin, Virginia Wade, Maria Bueno, Rosemary Casals, Andrea Jaeger and Pam Shriver. In 2004, recalling her French Open win of 1976, Barker said "I'm still incredibly proud of what I achieved." [6] Major finals [ edit ] Grand Slam finals [ edit ] Singles (1 title) [ edit ] Result

Susan Barker CBE (born 19 April 1956) is a British former television presenter and professional tennis player. During her playing career, Barker won 15 WTA Tour singles titles, including a major singles title at the 1976 French Open. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 3. [2] When my previous relationships had ended, we’d talked everything through, about why it wasn’t working or couldn’t work. This time, I was absolutely floored. It was so odd. And Cliff didn’t speak to me for weeks. Death of the funeral: Justin Welby warns society is forgetting how to 'cope with loss' as most Britons do not want a religious service when they die due to high costs and a loss of faith From Tokyo, I flew on to Australia and then to the United States. Cliff and I had a few chats on the phone, mostly about tennis.Sue Barker to step down as Wimbledon presenter after 2022 tournament". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022 . Retrieved 9 June 2022. I have always been a huge fan of A Question of Sport, and I was devastated when Sue was forced to leave. Needless to say, I haven't watched it since. It's just not the same anymore. Actually I have to get that comment right, Sue's two careers, a tennis career, and a television career. How you see Sue on the television is the real Sue, and admire so much when she says "You see enough of me on television, you won't see me showing my house off in the Hello Magazine.