I’m not filling Sue’s shoes at Wimbers
Host says she’ll always pick motors over tennis
Sports host Lee McKenzie has no plan to take over from Sue Barker as the national treasure hangs up her microphone after today’s Wimbledon finals.
The 44-year- old, best known for her work in Formula One, loves covering the tennis tournament every summer – but said her f irst love wi l l always be motorsport.
Lee, who grew up in Alloway, Ayrshire, said: “I know I’m very lucky – I get to turn up for one of the biggest sporting tennis events in the world.
“Formula One is my day-to-day sport. I don’t do tennis – I do Wimbledon. I don’t really work at other tennis events.
“Sue played tennis. She was a wonderful tennis player. That’s her passion.
“I’ve never had a conversation with the BBC about filling Sue’s shoes and I can’t imagine that would happen.”
BroaBroadcadca s t iing legend Sue is retiring afteraf being tthe face of tthe
BBC ’s
Wimbledon coverage for the past 30 years. Former professional Sue won 15 WTA Tour singles titles, including the 1976 French Open.
She announced this year she would retire after Wimbledon.
Her long- standing TV partner John McEnroe is expected to lead tributes to her on Centre Court today.
Lee has been working at this year’s Wimbledon alongside Sue, and other BBC presenting colleagues Claire Balding and former England cricketer Isa Guha.
Lee said: “I love working at Wimbledon, although it’s very busy. I don’t just pop up on Centre Court for a quick two or three-minute interview. It’s all about the preparation, which includes doing sit-down interviews with the players for the matches the following day.
“On my first day at Wimbledon this year, I was interviewing Novak Djokovic, then Emma Raducanu and then Andy Murray – so there was no easing into it. “I don’t know how many interviews I’ll have done by the end of the tournament – a lot – but it’s alwaysy so special to be there and a wonderful wo two weeks.” w Yesterday at Wimbledon, W the Duc Du he s s of Cambridge Ca was oonn h a n d to present pre women’s champion cha Elena Rybakina Ryb with her tro p h y. K a t e caught caug the eye in sunny sunn yellow.