Wimbledon LIVE with BBC Sue Barker fears as Russian will get ‘further motivation’

John McEnroe has expressed fears about Sue Barker’s BBC absence. The 67-year-old hosted the Beeb’s protection for the ultimate time final 12 months and has retired from broadcasting.

Clare Balding will take Barker’s place however McEnroe, a Wimbledon legend himself, mentioned to the i Paper: “That is going to be a bummer.

“Sue is a legend. She was unbelievable 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 been doing it with her, she just makes it easier for everyone around her.

“And she did that for 25 years or one thing. So it’s a tricky act to comply with.”