John McEnroe will get emotional with closing Wimbledon plea for Sue Barker after exit
Sue Barker will depart a “void” at Wimbledon like Bjorn Borg after his retirement, based on John McEnroe. The BBC presenter and former French Open champion hung up her microphone after her thirtieth and final Wimbledon final 12 months.
McEnroe’s nice rival and five-time Wimbledon champion Borg by no means performed one other Major after the age of 25 after dropping the 1981 US Open .
Barker is now additionally 67 and McEnroe mentioned: “Her not being there is going to be a bummer.
“But Sue is a legend. You know, I mean she was incredible at what she did. So it’s going to be a void.
“It’s like when (Bjorn) Borg didn’t play. For us, it was a huge thing.
“So especially since I’ve been doing this, the other side, the commentary side for as long as I have and doing it with her.
“She just makes it easier for everyone around her. And she’s did that for 25 years or something.
“So it’s a tough act to follow, shall I say? So we’ll see what happens.
“The old cliche is that all good things come to an end. She decided that this was enough, go out I guess on a high. And God bless her. Hopefully, she’ll come by and say hello.”
The BBC introduced their new-look Wimbleodn line-up following Barker’s departure earlier this month.
Clare Balding will step in as the brand new lead presenter whereas former England cricketer-turned-broadcaster Isa Guha will host the present from 11am to start out.
McEnroe will keep on as a commentator and might be joined by Pat Cash and Billie Jean King.
Tim Henman will even proceed on commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live protection.
John McEnroe is a part of the BBC’s Wimbledon 2023 line-up. Catch all of the motion throughout BBC TV, radio and on-line from Monday July 3.