Wimbledon favourite John McEnroe threatened to leave the tournament’s coverage for good – and take Tim Henman with him – after one seismic change to tradition at SW19
Sue Barker’s Wimbledon departure in 2022 took a toll on many fans and players alike. But few were as sad to see her leave the BBC as former colleague John McEnroe, who joked he and British tennis icon Tim Henman would leave with her in solidarity.
Barker, 69, stepped down from her BBC duties three years ago after presenting with the broadcaster for almost 30 years. And tennis figures from across the world paid tribute to the face of Wimbledon’s coverage, who had become all but synonymous with the tournament during that time.
It was during Barker’s final tournament that three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe described his shock at her departure. And the American went so far as to suggest he and fellow pundit Henman would leave with her in protest.
“We all agreed we would only go as long as you can,” he said on Centre Court as players and fans alike bade farewell to the SW19 legend. “Now you have put the pressure on us! What is going to happen next? Henman are we going to have a tournament next year?”
But among the jokes concerning his own future, McEnroe also shared some pensive moments of real emotion with his long-time work partner. And he paid a fitting tribute to Barker as she departed Centre Court for the last time.
“Sue, one final word. On behalf of all the players, I just want to say that we’re going to be lost without you,” he continued. “After 30 years of covering this tournament magnificently, please give it up for Sue Barker.”
Henman duly replied with a cheeky joke at the expensive of McEnroe, saying: “I am not sure, I think Sue said 30 years working with you [McEnroe] she’s not sure she could carry on. We need to debate it.”
Fast-forward three years, and both McEnroe and Henman are still hard at work presenting the annual coverage from the Grand Slam. The former juggles his work at SW19 alongside other broadcasting commitments with American channels, as well as other major tournaments.
Devon-born Barker became an institution in her own right, where being interviewed by the former French Open winner was seen as a rite of passage. Classy until the end, she made sure to thank her fans and colleagues alike upon leaving the BBC but got one last barb in at her old friend.
“Thank you so much, but this is about the tournament,” said the former BBC veteran. “All I can say is from now on John McEnroe is going to be commentating on Court 17 after that, going off script. But thank you, that really does mean the world to me.”
For almost three decades, Barker fronted and became an essential cog in the BBC’s Wimbledon presentation every year. These days, Clare Balding and Isa Guha are the main hosts of the coverage, while McEnroe and Henman still play prominent roles as pundits.
Some fans were in uproar at this year’s Wimbledon Championships after Barker was spotted in the members’ enclosure of the stands. However, many argued that if anyone deserved a spot in the Royal Box, it was her.
It wasn’t the first major BBC role Barker has left after she was also let go from her role as Question of Sport host after 24 years. However, that exit was less harmonious considering the exit was forced upon her.
“It’s their show, it’s their right. They wanted to make changes and do everything and that’s absolutely fine,” she said on This Morning in October 2024. “We totally accepted that, it’s just the way it was handled. But, it’s all gone now and we’re back together.”