SUE BARKER’s appearance at Cameron Norrie’s Wimbledon clash with Carlos Alcaraz stunned BBC commentator Andrew Castle.
But the veteran broadcaster was more shocked by Barker missing out on a seat in the Royal Box.
BBCSue Barker was a surprise spectator for Cameron Norrie’s Wimbledon clash with Carlos Alcaraz[/caption]
BBCThe former long-time Wimbledon presenter had one of the best seats in the house[/caption]
BBCBBC commentator Andrew Castle was stunned not to see his former colleague in the Royal Box[/caption]
Barker has seldom been spotted at SW19 since calling time on her 22-year-long stint heading up the Beeb’s coverage of the annual summer tennis tournament.
But cameras caught the British sports presenting icon taking in the Centre Court match on Tuesday.
Barker, 69, briefly came up on the screen after a replay of a beautifully deft shot from Spaniard Alcaraz.
But it was long enough for a stunned Castle to ask co-commentator John McEnroe: “Is that Sue Barker up there?
“Where’s Sue? What is she doing up there? I didn’t see her on the list.”
After a brief pause in the action, cameras panned back to Barker, who was sitting in the Members’ enclosure.
And Castle was seemingly taken aback by her seat for the pulsating match.
He said: “Ah, [she’s in a] box. Nearly in the Royal Box.
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“That’s the Royal Box over there. Maybe next time. Member’s enclosure. Not bad.”
Tennis fans were seemingly as stunned by Castle, with one writing on X: ” If anybody should be in the Royal box, it’s Sue Barker!”
Another said: “Surely @AndrewCastle63 can get Sue Barker into the royal box with his contacts? She’s a Wimbledon legend.”
And another said: “Disgraceful that Sue Barker isn’t in the Royal Box.”
Barker – the 1976 French Open winner – called time on her 30-year stint with the Beeb after the 2022 instalment of Wimbledon.
Ahead of her departure, she said: “What a wonderful time I’ve had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world.
“I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me.
“I’ve worked with the best of the best.”
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