Calling the Shots cover art

Calling the Shots

My Autobiography

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Calling the Shots

By: Sue Barker
Narrated by: Sue Barker
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Rewind to 1971, and Sue Barker's coach is sending his 15-year-old tennis protégé to a junior championship in France, alone, with a one-way ticket, telling her she'd 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, dating the stars, hitting the headlines. She reveals the battles she fought for hard-won success in two careers, 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.

©2022 Sue Barker (P)2022 Penguin Audio Sports Tennis Women Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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Featured article: Motivational listens from women in sport


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This book illustrates how Sue Barker has sure been lucky in her career. Spotted by a talent scout, “Mr Roberts” who duly trained her, for free, and guided her into becoming the top British female player of the 1970s and the main rival to Virginia Wade - and then she was lucky enough to come into contact with someone from the bbc which, of course is where her subsequent career took off, and you get the feeling it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.
Clearly she was family orientated the book expresses the pride her parents felt and Sue’s love for and desire to please her parents - you can’t help feeling Lady Luck knew who she was looking after.
The truth of the “relationship” (or not) with Cliff Richard comes through here too and Sue’s relations with all levels of media generally.
As a tennis fan I loved this book. Great story, beautifully read. Highly recommended

Excellent listening

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I really enjoy Tennis Autobiography’s especially when they are read by the author. I really enjoyed this one of Sue’s as it gave a great background of many things I did not know. Well done Sue

A really interesting autobiography

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An honest and candid account from the ‘inside’. Being a Sue Barker fan this was a real treat. The highs and lows of a life devoted to tennis and broadcasting. Having the presence to stay determined to do things her own way. Refreshingly honest about how moral standards work both ways. It made me laugh, cry and surprised me in parts. What a legend!

A smash!!

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I did not get any warmth or humour from this book , although she keeps reminiscing saying how we all laughed - but the anecdotes are not side splitting.
A hard headed businesswomen who likes fame on her terms, The shy wallflower who drives a Lambo and moves mansions regularly.
As a tennis fan it was a great nostalgic read , her interviewing skills are always enjoyable - well done for putting the ridiculous Cliff camouflage saga to bed (or not) hopefully now a line has been drawn!

The BBC career was a godsend - I would be eternally grateful .

Mixed signals

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I loved this audio book. Sue Barker tells her life story with authenticity and passion. So much I didn't know about this tennis player and broadcaster. She's a true role model in her work ethic and demonstrates constant commitment to her personal life and career opportunities. Sue will be missed at Wimbledon 2023.

Superb. Highly entertaining life story

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A lovely book about a life so well lived. She has had a wonderful proffessional life as a player and a brilliant commentator. Well done Sue, you will be missed.

Great story

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A brilliant listen, made even better by Sue Barker reading it herself. Highly recommended. Excellent

Brilliant listen

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Absolutely loved this and have recommended it to friends and family. Having Sue read her own story made it extra special as her emotion and obvious amusement when recalling many stories added to the poignancy and entertainment factors.
I marvelled, laughed and cried- what a great autobiography.

One of my favourite audiobooks

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A well structured book about someone I have always admired. Beautifully read by Sue Barker.

GOAT SUE

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I am old enough to remember, Sue Barker in her pomp as one of the worlds top tennis players. So she has been a part of my sporting memories , both as competetor and through her television career. It was quite obvious from the send off she got from her peers , at this years Wimbledon that she is well liked and respected. So it was a no brainer to listen to her recounting her life. What a full life so far it has been . Sue admits that she has been quite lucky , with some of the people she met and who have mentored her at various stages. Especially Mr Roberts , who sounded quite a man and with whom she had an amazing relationship. Sue Barker's excellent narration makes this seem more of an intimate telling of her story. For me this is right up there, with the very best sporting autobiographies.

A Joy to Listen to.

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