The British television presenter Sue Barker hosted sports programmes for more than 29 years. She was a former professional tennis player who won several single titles, ranking the third-best player in the world in her generation. The television personality passed away but she remains the UK's leading female sports presenter. Here, we take a trip down memory lane to her life and career.

Sue Barker was the second child of Bob and Betty Barker, born on 9 April 1956 in Paignton, England. She was raised with her siblings in Paignton and educated at a convent school.

In 1966, Barker was selected as the second of two girls who received tennis coaching from Arthur Roberts. At that time, she was 10 and coached by British former world number one tennis player, Angela Mortimer.

After participating in tournaments on the continent, Barker ranked 21st in the WTA rankings. She was advised by her coach and moved to the United States for her achievements.

When she lived in Newport Beach, California, she met Rod Laver and other prestigious tennis players. They shared experiences, improving her tennis performance.

Barker became the winner of the Exmouth Open at Exmouth, Devon against Annette Coe. She won her first top-level singles title in her 19th life.

In 1975, Barker reached the semi-final at the Australian Open. She was the winner at the German Open in 1976 after beating Renáta Tomanová of Czechoslovakia. She also won the French Open at the age of 20.

After winning two singles titles in Dallas and San Francisco, Sue Barker reached the Virginia Slims Tour Championships final. In 1977, the British tennis player reached the Australian Open semi-final and the Wimbledon semi-final.

Barker was injured in 1978, dropping her ranking to number 24 in the world. Nonetheless, she continued to train after her injury and won three singles titles in 1979.

After winning three singles titles, Barker was named “Comeback Player of the Year" by her fellow professionals. Her performance didn't stop there, because she won the last singles title at Brighton International in 1981.

Sue Barker won her last doubles title in 1982 at Cincinnati before her retirement. Her last professional match was in 1984. In total, the tennis player won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles during her career.

Barker married the former policeman and landscape gardener, Lance Tankard in 1988. The couple lives in the Cotswolds village of Stanton, Gloucestershire.

The former professional tennis player has been a dog lover all her life. She and her husband adopted two dogs together: Charlie and Baiatu.

After retiring as a professional tennis player, Sue Barker signed a contract with Australia's Channel 7 to become a commentator and sports reporter. From 1990 to 1993, she anchored tennis coverage for British Sky Broadcasting.

In 1993, the sports presenter joined BBC to host Wimbledon coverage with Harry Carpenter. She hosted Today at Wimbledon as a regular guest in 1994, and from 2000 to 2022.

After a few years of work experience at the BBC, Barker became one of the chief sports presenters. She was also the presenter of the sports quiz show, A Question of Sport.

Barker was one of the presenters of the BBC's longest-running sports show, Grandstand. From 1994 to 2012, the presenter was a host of the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

The television presenter has hosted BBC Sport's coverage of several sports events. These include Queens Club Championships, the Davis Cup, the ATP World Tour Finals, Wimbledon, Eastbourne, the Australian Open, and the French Open.

In 2000, Sue Barker was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire or MBE in New Year Honours. This part of the British honours system recognises and rewards citizens' good works.

Barker announced in 2020 that she would step down from her role as host of A Question of Sport on BBC after 24 years. She also stepped down from BBC coverage of the Wimbledon tennis championship.