'I don't want to put pressure on Jack Draper - but I will!'

As Wimbledon hype builds, SW19 legend Sue Barker tells Flo Clifford what Britain's No 1 male player needs to do to beat the best, and how Emma Raducanu can bounce back

- Flo Clifford

From her days as a player, to helming the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon, to now attending as a fan, the first thing Sue Barker does on arrival at the All England Lawn Tennis Club is to look out over Centre Court. An experience that was always “terrifying” as a player – particularly as a home favourite – has nonetheless never lost its shine.

Barker’s love for tennis – if it was in any doubt – is apparent the moment we start talking. Before I can even ask a question, she wants to know whether Jacob Fearnley, playing earlier that day, in the last 16 at Queen’s, won his match. (He did, a tricky three-set tussle with Corentin Moutet).

The strength in depth of British tennis is a source of joy to Barker, the 1976 French Open champion and the anchor of Wimbledon coverage until 2022. She notes drily, “When I worked at the BBC it was always, two players have got in and there require wildcards. Now they’re getting in by right.”

There is also a host of talented junior players, many of whom are making their main-draw or qualifying debuts this year. Barker tells The Independent: “I think a lot of that is to do with Andy [Murray]. He’s just been such a role model and set the standard for them, and I think now it’s really beginning to pay off to be the best. He’s shown them how hard you’ve got to work.”

Nowhere is that more obvious than in the form of British No 1 and world No 4, Jack Draper. The 23-year-old reached a maiden semi-final at Queen’s last week and has underlined his status as a name to watch at SW19 – despite having never previously gone past the second round.

Barker’s final moment as Wimbledon anchor was in 2022, speaking to men’s champion Novak Djokovic and runner-up Nick Kyrgios (Getty)