Calling the Shots: My Autobiography

In 1971, Sue Barker's coach sends her, a 15-year-old tennis talent, to a French junior championship with a one-way ticket, challenging her to win for her return fare. She stays at the tennis club, wins, and in 5 years becomes Britain's No. 1. Grit, grace, and talent drive her sports TV success, and Calling the Shots delves into the 70s-80s tennis world, showcasing battles for success in two careers and her unique insight into sports dramas. A champion on and off the court, Sue Barker's story is extraordinary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Transport yourself back to the year 1971, a pivotal moment in time, and you'll find a determined Sue Barker embarking on an audacious journey. Guided by her coach's unwavering belief, this 15-year-old tennis prodigy sets off for a junior championship in France, armed with nothing but a one-way ticket and the resolve to secure her own return fare through triumph. Braving solitude, she stands at the crossroads of opportunity and uncertainty.

Intriguingly, Sue's ingenuity unfurls as she takes refuge within the verdant confines of the hosting tennis club, strategically avoiding the financial burden of a hotel. The following dawn paints the landscape of her dedication as she steps onto the court, an arena of dreams and challenges. And with a resounding thud of her racket against the ball, she weaves her narrative through the strings of her actions. The path to victory is etched by her unyielding willpower. Five years whirl by, and Britain finds itself christening a new queen of the courts - Sue Barker, the unrivalled No. 1.

Yet, her prowess is not confined to the clay. The same blend of tenacity, elegance, and skill elevates her to a commanding presence in the realm of live Sports TV. An illustrious trajectory spanning four decades, where she orchestrates a symphony of legends sharing their sagas. However, now it's her turn to seize the spotlight and narrate her own tale.

Sue's autobiography unfolds as a once-in-a-lifetime endeavour, an endeavour that invites us to step inside the vivacious world of 1970s and early 1980s tennis, imbued with a glitzy showbiz allure. Here, the curtains pull back, revealing her struggles waged in the pursuit of victory across two distinct careers. With prose that reads like ringside commentary, she invites us to a privileged front-row seat at the heart of the nation's grandest sporting spectacles. Through her eyes, we glean an intimate understanding of the human drama that unfolds under the spotlight's unrelenting glare.

The narrative in Calling the Shots isn't just a chronicle of accomplishments. It's the story of a stalwart tennis champion, a luminary whose voice has resonated through the airwaves, transmitting sporting history into the very living rooms of countless households for decades. It's the saga of a trailblazing woman who has consistently seized the reins of her life, charting her course through uncharted territories. Sue Barker, with her unrivalled experiences, stands as a testament to the strength that lies within an individual's determination, the grace that accompanies their achievements, and the raw talent that propels them to the pinnacles of success.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 126 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529149043