Clare Balding says she is “honoured” to be replacing Sue Barker after the BBC confirmed her appointment as the lead presenter for its Wimbledon coverage
Barker spent 30 years as the face of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage but the 66-year-old revealed last summer that she felt the “time is right” to step down after three decades in the role.
After the news was officially confirmed by the BBC on Thursday, Balding said: “It’s a huge honour to be given this responsibility but I am very aware that no one person can fill Sue’s shoes. “This will always be a team effort and we’re lucky that the BBC line-up includes former professionals with huge insight as well as wonderful reporters and commentators.
“It’s my job to bring out the best in them and to help make our viewers feel they have a front row seat on the greatest sporting stage.”with Barker, who won the 1976 French Open and reached No 3 in the world as a player before making the switch to broadcasting, appearing to confirm as much last November when she said she knew she was leaving coverage “in the safest of hands… with Clare”.
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