"It's like when Bjorn Borg didn't play": John McEnroe insists new BBC host Clare Balding has big shoes to fill in Sue Barker retirement

Former world number one John McEnroe has stated that Clare Balding has a big task ahead of her in replacing Sue Barker as the BBC’s Wimbledon presenter.

The third Grand Slam of the year will begin on Monday in London. This year, there will be a major difference compared to previous years as the former French Open winner Barker will not be there as a BBC presenter after ending her 29-year-long association with the organisation.

She rejected the contract extension stating that it was perhaps the ‘right time’ to do that.

McEnroe, who won three Wimbledon titles in his illustrious career, has suggested that the 52-year-old will have a tough task replacing the 67-year-old as her absence will be similar to that of five-time Wimbledon winner Bjorn Borg at the mega-event.

“Yeah, that (Barker’s absence) is going to be a bummer,” said the 64-year-old. “Sue is a legend. She was incredible at what she did, so it’s going to be a void. It’s like when [Bjorn] Borg didn’t play.

"For us, it was a huge thing. So especially since I’ve been doing this, the other side, the commentary side, for as long as I have been doing it with her, she just makes it easier for everyone around her.

“And she did that for 25 years or something. So it’s a tough act to follow. The old cliche: all good things come to an end. She decided that this was enough, go out I guess on a high. And God bless her. Hopefully, she’ll come by and say hello.”