Sue Barker

Sue Barker

Sue Barker's forehand was made in Torquay by Arthur Roberts, the coach who took her on at ten and once resigned from the LTA's coaching body rather than let the shot be changed. In 1976, aged 20, it won her Roland Garros, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2 over Renata Tomanova. It was the only slam final she ever reached, 1 major inside 23 career titles. By 1977, she was world No. 3, and Centre Court willed her toward an all-British Wimbledon final against Virginia Wade; Betty Stove beat her in the semifinal, a loss Barker called the biggest disappointment of her career.

The second act made her a national institution. She retired in 1984, joined the BBC in 1993, and fronted its Wimbledon coverage for three decades, with 24 years hosting A Question of Sport. When she signed off in 2022, Centre Court's centenary summer, John McEnroe led the tribute and the crowd rose to her, a champion's send-off for the broadcaster on the lawn where the player fell one step short.