Billie Jean King honours Sue Barker as she steps down from Wimbledon role

Billie Jean King has paid homage to Sue Barker’s ‘career as a brilliant presenter and excellent tennis player’ as the Brit prepares to step down from her role as the BBC’s Wimbledon presenter.

This summer’s tournament will be Barker’s last in terms of coverage for the BBC. She first joined the team in 1993 and has anchored the network’s broadcast since 2000.

King, who has worked alongside Barker on the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, posted a heartwarming tribute to her friend and colleague.

“My friend and colleague Sue Barker is stepping down from her role after Wimbledon, following 30 years of leading live sports broadcasting for BBC Sport,” the 12-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Twitter.

“Sue enjoyed not only a career as a brilliant presenter, but also as an excellent tennis player as well.”

(1/3) My friend and colleague Sue Barker is stepping down from her role after @Wimbledon, following 30 years of leading live sports broadcasting for @BBCSport. Sue enjoyed not only a career as a brilliant presenter, but also as an excellent tennis player as well. pic.twitter.com/mvU4FaFfk5

Barker is a huge icon when it comes to women’s tennis, for her career both on and off the court.

Her 15 WTA Tour singles titles include her triumph at the 1976 French Open, where she became the first and only British woman to win the Championship during the Open Era, at just 20 years of age.

After making her mark on the court, she went on to become one of Britain’s most recognised and loved sports presenters.

Barker retired from professional tennis in 1984 and jumped straight into the world of broadcasting. She worked for Australia’s Channel 7 and Sky, before making her BBC Sport broadcast debut in 1993.

As well as almost 30 years covering