Sue: Highlight of my 30-year career was Andy’s first Wimbledon win
SHE has witnessed some of the world’s greatest sporting moments in her television career – but Sue Barker has revealed Sir Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon win was the highlight of her time on air.
The presenter hosted the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for three decades before retiring from the role earlier this year.
She was courtside to interview Murray when he became the first British man in 77 years to win the tournament in 2013.
The 66-year-old former tennis player said it was even more special because Murray had cried while being interviewed by her the year before when he lost to Roger Federer in the final.
Miss Barker said that moment, as well as a documentary she filmed with Murray in which he discussed being caught up in the Dunblane massacre, helped endear him to the British public.
In her new autobiography Calling the Shots, Miss Barker said: ‘In 2013, Andy went on to win and that ranks as my absolute career highlight. Without a doubt, walking on to Centre Court to announce him as the winner was the best day of my television career.
‘The British public had started to warm to him. I knew that if the public saw the “real Andy” then they would take him to their hearts.
‘I interviewed him at his home in Surrey where he opened up about his memories of the Dunblane massacre, breaking down in tears as he relived the horrific shootings that took place at his primary school when he was an eight-year-old pupil.’
Barker, who won the French Open title in 1976, was renowned for her calm persona on TV but admitted she was a ‘wreck’ watching Murray in the final.