BBC Presenter Sue Barker hails Andy Murray's Wimbledon as 'greatest day' in broadcasting By Alex Kay For once there were no tears. Instead, Andy Murray and Sue Barker shared a moment of pure joy on Centre Court last week. For Murray, it was his greatest day. For Barker, the pinnacle of what has become an extraordinary career in broadcasting. "It was absolutely fantastic, the greatest day I've had in broadcasting," says Barker from her home in the Cotswolds. Tennis is in my heart and blood and I'd never thought I'd see that. Last year at the Olympics, I walked away from the Park thinking "I'm never again going to experience the joy I've just felt in the past three weeks." And then this happened. It was without a doubt the greatest sporting event I have witnessed. Contrast: Andy Murray's chat with Sue Barker after this year's Wimbledon final was decidedly less emotional than last year's (below) as he ended a 77-year wait for a British champion in the men's singles Few would disagree and for Barker and Murray it was quite the contrast to the tears that followed the 2012 defeat by Roger Federer and their conversation about the Dunblane shooting during the pre-Wimbledon BBC documentary. "Andy said to me that every time he sees me he cries," says Barker with a chuckle. In that documentary, it really surprised me. When he talked about Dunblane, I was looking over at our producer saying "please stop this." I wanted them to cut and she kept shaking her head. I think she knew that deep down he wanted to say it whereas I was thinking how awful it was. No-one realised just how much it affected him and Jamie. You can understand why he hasn't talked about it before. But maybe in the documentary he could think more about it than in a press conference, take his time. And he was in his home with his dogs there. It was so moving. He's such an amazing young man. My greatest moment: Barker described Murray's Wimbledon triumph as her favourite moment in an illustrious presenting career with the BBC Familiar face: Barker has been presenting tennis coverage on the BBC since the 1980s Part of being "amazing" was of course that straight sets win over Novak Djokovic on Sunday, something Barker feels has made Murray the best player on the tour. I've been doing it for so many years now that I don't feel nervous professionally. But that last game was nerve-wracking. I was in a small room courtside with the American television and I was so nervous for him. It was then such a pleasure to go out on court and say those words. It was incredibly special to be on Centre Court and be part of it. 'To tell a global audience it's been 77 years and here you go was fantastic. You could see how much of a haze he was in. I can understand why he couldn't remember much of what happened near the end. 'He didn't know whose hands he was slapping or where his mum was. He couldn't take in the enormity of it all. He is just an extraordinary player and athlete. The manner in which he won, beating the world No 1, was awesome. He holds two of the Grand Slams and the Olympic gold. 'He's the one everyone needs to beat now. I know he'll manage his body and career now with regards to how many tournaments he plays so No 1 might take a bit longer. But you are always remembered for how many Slams you win, not weeks at No 1. If he carries on the way he's going, there are many more to come. Because I got to know the whole team - and they are normally very private - it did make it extra special. I spent time with him in Miami, watched him train, the gym. I've interviewed him so many times but it was nice to talk about other things rather than always having a microphone on. 'He's such a nice guy and I have huge respect for him. Him, Kim, his family - it couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of people. Slam Champion: Sue Barker won the French Open in 1976, defeating Renata Tomanova of Czechoslovakia in the final For Barker, now 57 years old and 37 years on from her French Open triumph, there is plenty more to come too. She is a central figure for BBC Sport and some would say better known now for her broadcasting than winning a Grand Slam. I quit tennis in 1985 and went straight into it. I didn't even think I'd be a presenter when I first started. When I became a presenter, Bob Wilson was the only other ex-sportsman doing it. Doing Grandstand was a huge thing for me but to do Wimbledon is the highlight of my year, it always has been. The majority of people don't even realise I was a tennis player. The older you get, the less people remember what you did before. 'It doesn't worry me how I'm remembered. I do it because I love it, not to be remembered. I'm lucky that the BBC want me to continue. I'm very happy. All smiles: Barker shares a joke with Laura Robson during an interview, before the British player demonstrates the art of 'planking' on the studio desk (below) She can also see again. This year was the first year Barker didn't have to squint at scores in the studio or fumble around for her glasses, something she says has made her better at her job. I don't work with an autocue but reading scores and doing my research was becoming more and more difficult. I spent the whole time looking for my glasses and it drove me up the wall. I couldn't read the menu in restaurants. So David Allamby from Focus said he could help me and I had laser eye surgery. It has absolutely transformed me. All the guys came into the studio and I said "oh, do you want me to read the draw for you?." They were all in their glasses. At Wimbledon when we do the updates around the courts, it used to be hard looking at the scores. Now it's great and I can breeze through it. It wasn't painful at all and without question the best thing I've done. People's champion: Barker believes Murray, as the world's current best player, can now go on and add to his two Grand Slam titles So what chances of Barker ever interviewing another victorious British man at Wimbledon in the future? I don't see it at the moment but I didn't see it in Andy. He was an amazing 17-year-old but if you'd said to me "is he going to be a future world No 1?" - which he will be - I'd have said he was going to be a top 20 player. 'Someone from the LTA should, if Andy's willing, make a video of how hard you have to train to become a Grand Slam champion. It blew my mind how hard he works. 'Some players came out to train with him and they couldn't walk after three days. It would be great to show British hopefuls the sort of training they will need to do. Not everyone will want to do it. Some might settle for being in the top 200 or wherever. It's important to show kids what it takes. History man: Murray was the first British men's champion at Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936 But she's more hopeful that her and Virginia Wade's successes might be emulated. Heather has had a tough year and she'll come back. But Laura is a match-winner. She can do it on the big stage. 'She's got to get more consistent but she's young and will have a big future. She's another lovely player to interview, a real character. It will be great to have a woman back up at the top again. Cue some more tears but then no-one would really mind. Sue Barker underwent a Blended Vision procedure by one of the UK's leading laser eye surgeons Mr David Allamby. For more information or to book an appointment with David visit www.focusclinics.com