50 Years On: Sue Barker’s French Open Triumph Recalled

Sue Barker, a leading British television sports presenter for nearly three decades, has always been more comfortable asking questions than answering them. Many who watched her relaxed, confident coverage of Wimbledon from 1993 to 2022 likely did not know she was a former tennis player, let alone a Grand Slam champion.

Barker’s greatest achievement came at Roland Garros in 1976, where she defeated Czech Renata Tomanova in three sets to win her only Grand Slam title. The tournament, beginning Sunday, marks the 50th anniversary of that victory, making Barker the last British player, man or woman, to win in Paris.

Her win remains one of British tennis’ finest achievements, yet often underappreciated in British sport. The 1976 final was not televised live due to a strike by French camera technicians, and it was overshadowed by Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon victory the following year. Barker lost to Dutch player Betty Stöve in the semifinals, a defeat so painful she spent part of her £3,500 prize money on jewelry instead of watching the final.

Barker declined interview requests for the anniversary, preferring not to dwell on the past. Former British No. 1 Jo Durie said: “It’s funny how some people look at their losses. I know she was really disappointed in 1977 when she knew she could beat Virginia [but lost to Stöve]. But Sue’s win made me think: if she can do it, maybe I can.”

At just 20, Barker seemed poised for a stellar career, but injury cut her run short; she retired in 1984. Reflecting on her win last year at the Isle of Wight literary festival, she said: “Winning the French Open was magical. Of course, I thought it was the first of many, so I didn’t really celebrate that well. If I’d known it was my only one I really would have gone to town.”

After a brief champagne toast, Barker flew home, misplacing her trophy and medal. When Ash Barty won the French Open in 2019, she noticed Barker’s name listed as Australian on the trophy. Barker told BBC Sport in 2022: “I think it’s because I used to play so much in Australia that people used to think I was Australian. But it doesn’t really bother me, I knew I’d won it.” Tournament organizers vowed to correct the error, but the French Tennis Federation has not confirmed the change.

At her peak, ranked No. 3 in 1977, Barker’s powerful forehand and athleticism helped her beat legends like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King. Durie noted: “Sue could beat anyone on her day, she knew that.” As top seed in 1976, Barker faced high expectations, overcoming tough matches against Regina Marsikova and Virginia Ruzici before the final.

Ruzici, herself a French Open champion in 1978, recalled: “We had similar styles. She had the big forehand and more of a slice backhand, although with time, she started to drive it more.” Ruzici acknowledged Barker’s superiority on that day.

Ruzici also noted that like Barker, her win occurred when Evert was absent. “Chris was my bête noire, she beat me about 20 times. But what counts is having the title, because you have it for ever, and it’s there in the books. In the long run, that’s what counts.”

Despite the disappointment of Wimbledon 1977, Barker would surely agree that her legacy endures.