As one of Britain’s foremost TV sports presenters for nearly thirty years, Sue Barker has always preferred asking questions to answering them. Many viewers who enjoyed her warm and confident approach while covering Wimbledon from 1993 to 2022 may not realize she was once a tennis player herself, and even fewer are aware that she is a Grand Slam champion.
Barker’s greatest achievement came at Roland Garros in 1976 when she captured her first and only Slam title, defeating Czech player Renata Tomanova in three sets. This year marks the 50th anniversary of her triumph. Following the victories of Christine Truman in 1959 and Ann Jones in 1961 and 1966, Barker remains the last British player, male or female, to win in Paris.
Her victory stands as a significant milestone in British tennis and arguably one of the most underrated accomplishments in British sports. The lack of live television coverage of the 1976 final, reportedly due to a strike by French camera operators, did not help its visibility. Additionally, the subsequent Wimbledon in 1977 saw Virginia Wade win the coveted title, overshadowing Barker’s success. Barker was defeated by Dutch player Betty Stöve in the semifinals, a loss that affected her deeply, prompting her to skip watching the final and spend a substantial portion of her £3,500 prize money on jewelry instead.
Marking the anniversary of her Paris win, Barker declined an interview, preferring not to dwell on the past. Former British No. 1, Jo Durie, shared insights on Barker’s mindset, noting that she was truly upset about losing to Stöve given her belief that she could win against Virginia. However, Durie expressed admiration for Barker’s achievement, recognizing how it inspired her to believe that she too could succeed.
Although just 20 at the time of her win, Barker faced a shortened career due to injury and retired in 1984. Reflecting on her French Open victory in a 2022 literary festival, Barker expressed her initial lack of celebration, thinking it would be the first of many titles. After a few celebratory champagne glasses, she mistakenly lost her trophy and medal on the flight home. When Ash Barty won the French Open in 2019, she was surprised to see Barker mistakenly listed as an Australian on the trophy, leading to corrective promises from tournament organizers that have yet to be confirmed.
At her peak in 1977, Barker achieved a ranking of No. 3, renowned for her exceptional forehand. Her ability to beat greats like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King was notable, yet injuries cut her career short. Durie commented on how Barker could compete with anyone on her best days, acknowledging the pressure she faced as the No. 1 seed in Paris.
Barker’s winning style mirrored that of her contemporaries, like Ruzici, who also claimed her title when Evert was absent. Ruzici recognized Barker’s skill on that day, emphasizing the lasting significance of their titles in the annals of tennis history. Despite the heartache from the following year’s Wimbledon, it’s clear that Barker would cherish her unique title forever.
