John McEnroe gets emotional over ‘BBC’s own Roger Federer’ Sue Barker at final Wimbledon

John McEnroe gave Sue Barker a big hug and lauded her as “the Roger Federer of the broadcasting world” as she hosts her last Wimbledon final on Sunday. Barker is retiring from broadcasting and ending her 30-year long association with the event after Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios compete for the title.

“Before I go I want to give you one last hug Sue,” McEnroe said during the BBC’s Wimbledon final coverage. “Thank you for everything you have been amazing, unbelievable, we are going to miss you. You are like the Roger Federer of the broadcasting world.”

After saluting Barker, McEnroe than admitted he had changed his pick to win the title. “The gods are with Nick,” the American pundit said. “At 27 he finally realises this is a great way to make a living, and now he is making a consistent effort. I’m expecting fireworks in a positive way. I picked Novak before, but just for heck of it, Kyrgios in five.”

McEnroe pleaded with Barker once again to reconsider her retirement as he joked that she needed to stay for one more year, which he also did during the Centre Court centenary celebrations when McEnroe went off-script to tell Barker how much she means to the sport. She dubbed McEnroe as a “naughty boy” for surprising her during the ceremony, to which he replied: “No, no, that was deserved. We couldn’t do one more year?! You are unbelievable.”

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