Calling the Shots: My Autobiography

by Sue Barker

The instant Sunday Times bestseller

Shortlisted for the Autobiography of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards

'A life of two wonderfully entertaining halves' Sunday Times

Rewind to 1971, and Sue Barker's coach is sending his 15-year-old tennis protégée to a junior championship in France, alone, with a one-way ticket, telling her she'll have to win the money to pay for her return fare. Sue hides in the grounds of the hosting tennis club overnight, to avoid paying for a hotel. The next day, she walks onto court and smashes it. Five years later, and she's Britain's No 1.

The same combination of grit, grace and talent took her to the top of live Sports TV. And now, after four decades on camera encouraging other legends to share their stories, she is telling her own.

Going all in for her once-only autobiography, Sue takes us inside the showbizzy world of 70s and early 80s tennis. She reveals the battles she fought for hard-won success in two careers and gives us a ringside seat on the nation's biggest sporting dramas, and a fascinating insider's understanding of competitors under pressure.

This is the remarkable life story of a tennis champion, an award-winning broadcaster who has brought sporting history into our living rooms for decades, and a trail-blazing woman who has always called the shots.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Sports, Autobiography

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I love tennis, I play tennis, I watch tennis, check scores of all the tournaments daily. I coached many teenager and adults for over twenty years, and played for many years for the island of Jersey, which I am proud to have done. So a tennis book, autobiography I am always going to enjoy.

Plus as a older teenager I played and coached at The Imperial Hotel in Torquay, and I did play at The Palace Hotel in Paignton.

Rewind to 1971, and Sue Barker's coach is sending his 15-year-old tennis protégée to a junior championship in France, alone, with a one-way ticket, telling her she'll have to win the money to pay for her return fare. Sue hides in the grounds of the hosting tennis club overnight, to avoid paying for a hotel. The next day, she walks onto court and smashes it. Five years later, and she's Britain's No 1.

The same combination of grit, grace and talent took her to the top of live Sports TV. And now, after four decades on camera encouraging other legends to share their stories, she is telling her own.

Going all in for her once-only autobiography, Sue takes us inside the world of 70s and early 80s tennis. She reveals the battles she fought for hard-won success in two careers and gives us a ringside seat on the nation's biggest sporting dramas, and a fascinating insider's understanding of competitors under pressure, such a shame injuries plagued her last few years.

This is the remarkable life story of a tennis champion, an award-winning broadcaster who has brought sporting history into our living rooms for decades, and a trail-blazing woman who has always called the shots.

I admire very much Lance the husband, a former policeman, who very gracefully steps aside as stays out of the limelight, keeps his and Sue's business's running to leave Sue have a great career.

Actually I have to get that comment right, Sue's two careers, a tennis career, and a television career. How you see Sue on the television is the real Sue, and admire so much when she says "You see enough of me on television, you won't see me showing my house off in the Hello Magazine.

A quite, honest, sincere women, great career, but also a larger and fuller television career, and one thing is for sure... Wimbledon will NEVER be the same without her.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a tennis fan but enjoyed the look at the career of sue barker tennis player and broadcaster

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sign of a good autobiography is when you actually get an insight into the real person, not just a repeat of the well known facts. And this book hits the mark, probably helped by Sue Barker being a private woman. It was a really good read and I loved the story of the random Reverend on This is Your Life.

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and interesting and well written autobiography. I feel like I have truly got to know in Sue Barker, who I have watched for many years for us as a tennis player then as a TV presenter in sport world. She's a woman that's an inspiration and you get to understand her passion for tennis and sport, you see her humour and her loyalty to her friends and family.

[Beryl Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good to get to know who the real Sue Barker is as she is a very private person. Quite down to earth and doesn’t see herself as anything special. Has done very well for herself but I thought treated very badly in the end by the BBC.

[Rog the Jammy Dodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok. She's had a charmed (getting the right breaks at the right time...pardon the pun) and very happy life. The irritation with the press (and Cliff) continually bringing up a 'relationship' which barely existed in any material sense, is the only real intrigue. Clearly a nice lady.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, enjoyable listen

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely reading.

I've been watching Wimbledon since 1969 and practically every year had Wimbledon off to watch it. Sue's presented the show so well. I loved her chats with her mates, Mac, Chrissie and Billie Jean, Martina etc. My favourite part of rain delays. It didn't feel like a TV show but like watching and being part of a tennis conversation. Great memories. Okay the book is easy to read and not a slog. It's taken me two days because I read aloud mainly. I do that because I take it in better. I've waited for this book and wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. If you love tennis, enjoyed Sue at Wimbledon then this is one for you. I'm glad that the ratings drop on AQoS shows that Sue was right. Anyway I hope we will see her about and that she will not disappear entirely.

[Sarah Stocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue is a nice person and this comes through the book. She recognises how lucky she was with school and her coach.
I loved the stories of her time on the circuit which seems magical now and made me nostalgic for those heady days when you knew all the players especially in the women’s game!
Interesting about cliff Richard…mmmm he doth protest too much!
The BBC could have treated her better although I was not a fan of question of sport, they could have handled it better and now look at it!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big Tennis fan but did enjoy watching Wimbledon back in the days of Borg, McEnroe and Connors. Sue Barker was also from that era where the circuit was littered with superstars with Billie Jean King, Chris Evett and Martina Navratilova. Sue Barker never managed to get to the dizzy heights of the before mentioned superstars but she was very competitive, won a grand slam and then went on to have a career in the media.

This is a very cosy but enjoyable read, there are no startling revelations, gossip or anything that will cause bad feelings. What you do get reading this book is the warmth of a tennis player and television celebrity who is close to her family and made lots of true friends throughout her life, many of who are household names. I found this to be a relaxing read that entertained without making my mouth drop open.

This is an interesting read of one of this countries favourite personalities that I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Random House for supplying a copy of this biography in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

I am not a big Tennis fan but did enjoy watching Wimbledon back in the days of Borg, McEnroe and Connors. Sue Barker was also from that era where the circuit was littered with superstars with Billie Jean King, Chris Evett and Martina Navratilova. Sue Barker never managed to get to the dizzy heights of the before mentioned superstars but she was very competitive, won a grand slam and then went on to have a career in the media.

This is a very cosy but enjoyable read, there are no startling revelations, gossip or anything that will cause bad feelings. What you do get reading this book is the warmth of a tennis player and television celebrity who is close to her family and made lots of true friends throughout her life, many of who are household names. I found this to be a relaxing read that entertained without making my mouth drop open.

This is an interesting read of one of this countries favourite personalities that I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Random House for supplying a copy of this biography in exchange for an honest review.

[David Hedges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really interesting. SHe has been such a wonderful presenter and Wimbledon will never be the same without her.

[Fictionatnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rewind to 1971, and Sue Barker's coach is sending his 15-year-old tennis protégée to a junior championship in France, alone, with a one-way ticket, telling her she'll have to win the money to pay for her return fare. Sue hides in the grounds of the hosting tennis club overnight to avoid paying for a hotel. The next day, she walks onto court and smashes it. Five years later, and she's Britain's No 1.

The same combination of grit, grace, and talent took her to the top of live Sports TV. And now, after four decades on camera encouraging other legends to share their stories, she is telling her own.

Going all in for her once-only autobiography, Sue takes us inside the showbizzy world of 70s and early 80s tennis. She reveals the battles she fought for hard-won success in two careers and gives us a ringside seat on the nation's biggest sporting dramas and a fascinating insider's understanding of competitors under pressure.

I have always been a huge fan of A Question of Sport, and I was devastated when Sue was forced to leave. Needless to say, I haven't watched it since. It's just not the same anymore.

This is a remarkable life story of a tennis champion, an award-winning broadcaster, and I enjoyed every minute listening to her incredible life story. Sue Barker's excellent narration makes this a pleasant & easy listen.

I have spoken to numerous people about the book and have recommended it to them all. I just hope they will listen to the audiobook because its so well worth your time.

[Funkystar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audible version of this rather than reading it. I liked learning about how she got started in tennis, the role that Mr Roberts played in first discovering her and then being her coach throughout her playing career. Its was also very interesting to read about what the Women's Tennis Association was like in its inception in the early 1970's with the standout tidbit being Billie Jean King sitting players down and telling them that they should give journalist full and detailed answers because it will help drum up interest in the tour thus bring in sponsors. Someone really needs to tell the current crop of players to do this too!. It was also surprising to hear that Sue for a time, had close friendships with British tabloid journalists who wrote about the tour which is unheard in the sports world today. The second part of the book about her tv career was a bit boring in my opinion, it felt rushed.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally read autobiographies and got lent this book as a tennis fan. I found the journey to becoming a tennis star really interesting and it is forgotten with her broadcast career what an amazing player she was. I would have loved to have had a few more stories about WTA tour and what is was like in that era. She is clearly immensely proud of her broadcast career and it struck me that it would seem more than her tennis career, but not really surprising given the span of her broadcasting.

Overall a good read about a sporting journey and what happens next in terms of career after that finishes. At times it lacked some depth but I respect that choice by her to maintain privacy and I don’t think an autobiography needs necessarily to be a soul bearing exercise.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sue comes over in her memoir as a professional, thoroughly nice woman with a great sense of humour.
Her book has an appealing cover, an apt title, two sections of photos; always a plus for me, and an index.
The writing is repetitive though, and a little pedestrian. So there were less interesting parts to skip through.
And there were people and situations that had caused her pain that she uses this book to call out. Who wouldn’t do that in their autobiography? But it makes for uncomfortable reading.
I’m sorry this comes over as a negative review, because on the whole it’s interesting to read of her gumption and professionalism in her sporting and television careers.

[J. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I love a tennis biography but was delighted to hear that Sue Barker was releasing one so soon after retiring from Wimbledon coverage. Her early tennis career and her ambitions to win big at the grand slams were no surprise. But I was intrigued to read about her being drawn into sports commentary and anchoring at great sporting events beyond tennis. Also pleased to find that as well as being a very nice person she is also gutsy and fully able to stick up for herself. And all written exactly the way she speaks to an extremely pleasant and informative read.

[Kerry Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't start to get into tennis until 1985, so it was interesting to find out what it was like for the decade or so before that. I remember Sue coming on board at the BBC, for which she did an exceptionally good job at all the sports events she presented. Although Clare Balding is just as good at the job, Sue will always be missed. I was unaware of some of the things that Sue went through, particularly with the BBC over the past decade. However, in light of other BBC scandals and wrongdoings in recent years, this is just another one to add to the list and I doubt they'll ever learn from it.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big tennis fan and haven’t watched “Question of Sport” for decades but I really enjoyed Sue Barker’s biography.

She gives a detailed glimpse into her two careers as a top tennis player and exceptional broadcaster. She is modest and self effacing and her enjoyment of life shines through.

I particularly enjoyed the chapters about making her way in the sport.

I would recommend this book to all readers.

[Zoe Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a four. I have enjoyed watching Sue Barker present the Wimbledon fortnight and initially on Question of Sport. Her knowledge of the game is immense and it’s easy to think this comes easy to someone. She has worked hard and is a determined but fiercely private person.
I’d imagine she would be fun in the bar with her stories and she definitely would have an opinion on most players and their game.
Ok maybe it’s a four!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sue Barker has been an icon on the BBC for most of my life, Wimbledon, Question of Sport, the Olympic coverage...the list goes on.

This is a remarkable story of a young girl with a burning desire to play tennis at Wimbledon, with the guts and determination to achieve, and the amazing story of a single person that can have such an influence on a young persons ambitions, life and successes.

Thank you Sue, you have been brilliant.

[Melanie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting insight into the world of tennis and sport as a TV presenter. Sue is an inspiration to a generation of women and a trailblazer in presenting sport on TV. I’d forgotten how many different sports she introduced me to over the years. The women on TV that followed were able to because Sue Barker paved the way. How sad that the BBC treated her and the team so badly when changing the format of a Question of Sport. Very enjoyable read.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was worth the 99p I paid for it. I'm not a tennis fan, but I remember Sue hosting "A Question of Sport", so thought she might have some good stories to tell about other sportspeople.

I found the first, heavily tennis-focused half fairly boring, but enjoyed the second half much more. If you have a fear of dogs, you may want to find "Dog attack" in the index and skip those pages (I wish I'd had some warning).

[c. m. ledder · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Sue Barker...

She was a very good tennis player but never reached the nights of greatness. She tells her story here demonstrating the fierce determination and dedication to reach the top. And all the while staying a really nice and pleasant person, something she takes into her broadcasting career. An honest account of the events of her life the brought her to be a national treasure. Read it!

[Penny Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always admired Sue Barker and all the other tennis players of that era. Her easy style of presenting and interviewing sports people accompanied me for so many years and as for a Question of Sport, such fun. So it was interesting to see what it was like behind the scenes, the changes over time and the amount of preparation required. The strength of friendships formed and the joy they provide shine through.

[Pamela Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Sue as a presenter at Wimbledon and the Olympics etc. I have been watching tennis since 1970 but I am embarrassed to say that I do not ever remember watching Sue play. After reading this book, I watched some of her matches on YouTube. She was a great player - she would be as she reached number 3 in the world. I was delighted to read how she got there.

[Alison Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game set & match

A great read and motivational too. Sue was a high profile player in my early days of being a Wimbledon fan. How things have changed over the decades. A very entertaining read and an interesting insight to what goes on behind the scenes at major broadcasters and what sells newspapers.

[Laura Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually really great – full of fabulous stories, nicely written, & very readable. 5 stars for Sue, but 3 stars for the publisher because this book was atrociously edited – so much jumping about with references and contexts that weren’t explained and also quite a lot of repetition.

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book! Sue charts her career from starting out in the tennis world to her TV career. She talks candidly about certain aspects of her life including Cliff Richard and the BBC. Fascinating and very interesting. Highly recommended.

[Debbie Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - I’m a tennis fan but hadn’t appreciated the real struggles of the female players

Sue’s career is inspiring and how she’s encountered difficulties with large corporations is so helpful to me right now

[Rachel Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful autobiography. I have grown up watching Sue Baker on Question of Sport and Wimbledon and I always admired her wit, intelligence and hard work and this book gives an insight into the women behind the camera and has given me a new admiration for her.