Famous Devonians

Sue Barker must look back on her tennis career and wonder what might have been.

Having fought her way up the rankings to become one of the world's top three women tennis players, she had the chance of a lifetime to reach the Wimbledon final in 1977 - the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year.

The convent girl from Paignton was coached by Arthur Roberts at the Palace Hotel in Torquay - he had also produced Angela Mortimer, who won Wimbledon in 1961.

Sue Barker on court

In those days Barker was dubbed 'The Paignton Peach'.

Sue's best years were 1975 - 1977. She reached the Australian Open semi-final in 1975, before claiming a Grand Slam event - the French Open - in 1976.

In that year, Sue was named British Sportswoman of the Year runner-up. Can you guess who beat her to the title?

No? Well, it was badminton player Gillian Gilks.

And then came the Queen's Jubilee Year, and a truly amazing Wimbledon championship.

Sue, with her thundering forehand, looked set to meet Virginia Wade in the final in 1977. But she inexplicably lost her semi-final against Betty Stove of the Netherlands, dashing hopes of an all-British final.

Sue's backhand was her weak point, and it let her down. But surely if she'd beaten Stove - as she was expected to - she'd have been favourite to overcome eventual winner Wade in the final.

After retiring from professional tennis, Sue took up a career as a TV sports presenter.

These days, she presents sports programmes, the BBC's Wimbledon coverage, and, of course, A Question of Sport.

In 2000, Sue was awarded the M.B.E. for her services to sport and broadcasting.