Barker began her career in 1973 and won her first top-level singles title in 1974. Reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final in 1976, barker tasted the thrill of playing amongst the best tennis stars of the time and became a revered tour figure. Sue’s grand slam victory came in the same year at the French Open by beating the Czech Rena Tomanova. Barker talks of peak performance alongside drive and determination as a tennis speaker, interacting with guests and ensuring they understand what is needed at an elite level of sport.
Barker’s 1978 season was plagued by injury, despite this, she came back to win three more singles titles and was awarded the Comeback Player of the Year for her efforts. Over her career, Barker won 11 singles titles, 12 doubles titles, overcoming some of the greatest female tennis players of the time including Navratilova, King and Austin. Sue’s anecdotal tales of overcoming adversity and realizing ambitions make her a pre-eminent sports speaker, combining eloquence and humour to her deliver at all times.
After retiring from tennis, Barker has gone on to enjoy a hugely successful career in broadcasting. Originally anchoring tennis coverage for Sky Broadcasting in 1990, Barker joined the BBC coverage team in 1993 before securing the spot of anchor for the full two weeks of Wimbledon each year for the company. Sue has since branched out and become one of the BBC’s top sport TV presenters, as well as hosting the hit show A Question of Sport. Sue demeanour on camera makes her one of the nation’s favourite personalities and transmits wonderfully to her delivery of talks as an after dinner speaker.
