BBC tennis icon Sue Barker has fallen ill with laryngitis, creating fears that her final ever Wimbledon could be cut short. After 30 years of broadcasting, Barker announced she would be calling time on her presenting at the end of this year's tournament at SW19.
The 66-year-old has proven to be the face of the famous grass court tournament for British viewers, and she was expected to end her tenure at next Sunday's men's final. Despite this her swan song could well be in danger, after revealing her illness this week.
She told the Daily Mail : "I’ve got laryngitis so I’m trying to save my voice [for broadcast]. The illness comes around when the vocal box or chords become swollen.
In spite of the illness Barker is yet to drop out of any of her presenting gigs this week, having appeared across the 2022 tournament. The concerns over the presenter's no show at next week's final have been quashed by a BBC spokesperson, who has reassured tennis fans that the plan is for Barker to continue to present this week.
The statement said: "There are no plans for Sue to take a break and she’s poised for the Centre Court celebration [of its centenary] on Sunday." The 66-year-old - who became French Open champion in 1976 - revealed she would 'terribly miss' working in front of the camera, but admitted the 'time is right to move on'.
She said: "What a wonderful time I’ve had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. will miss it terribly but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me. I’ve worked with the best of the best.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie spoke highly of Barker, commenting: "Sue Barker has been the face and voice of Wimbledon for three decades. Many of our viewers will not know of a summer in SW19 without her. She is a consummate professional, an outstanding presenter and a wonderful colleague, loved by current and former players, all of us at the BBC and audiences across the UK and beyond.
“Her contribution to tennis, the BBC, sports presenting and for blazing a trail for women in broadcasting cannot be overstated. We are looking forward to her leading our coverage, with all the style, warmth and knowledge she has displayed for the last 30 years, and we will say farewell with heavy hearts at the end of the tournament.”
