Sue Barker insists she did not want to stop presenting BBC's Wimbledon coverage but maintains it was her decision to walk away.
Former tennis star Barker had hosted coverage of the championships from SW19 for 30 years before bowing out after the men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.
The 66-year-old bid an emotional farewell to Wimbledon and admits it was a moment she would "treasure forever". Barker has revealed she could have stayed in the job for another three years but knew it was time to pass the baton on to someone else, with Clare Balding in line to replace her.
"I will miss it terribly, I wish I was 30 years younger and starting out," she told Lorraine.
"I loved the job and I didn't want to give it up but I felt it was the right time and I could walk out with my head held high, which I was able to do. This was very much my choice."
Barker went on to discuss her emotional farewell as Balding and John McEnroe led the plaudits from the commentary box after the final.
"The Centre Court standing ovation was, without question, the greatest moment in my career. By a long way. I am going to get emotional even thinking about it now," she added.
Among the legendary moments she covered was Andy Murray's victory in 2013 as he became the first British winner since Fred Perry in 1936.
Barker revealed she found herself in hot water with BBC bosses after deciding to go slightly off-script when her emotions got the better of her.
She added: "I have a little script. It’s very Wimbledon. ‘The winner of the gentlemen’s singles trophy for whatever year it is is so and so’.
“And suddenly, I looked over at Andy and he was crying, and I could hear on Murray Mount the crowd were going mad. There was such a buzz around Centre Court, I said, I can’t just read this. So I said, ‘We’ve waited 77 years for this!’ I just felt it needed something more.
“That was the highlight for all of us. He was amazing. The pressure he was under… I don’t know how he did it."
