Marion Bartoli took an emotional trip down memory lane as she returned to Wimbledon yesterday but the retired champion insisted she is at peace with her decision not to defend the title she won last year
Marion Bartoli. Pic/Getty Images
London: Marion Bartoli took an emotional trip down memory lane as she returned to Wimbledon yesterday but the retired champion insisted she is at peace with her decision not to defend the title she won last year.
Marion Bartoli. Pic/Getty Images
Bartoli quit aged 28 just a month after winning the first Grand Slam title of her career against Germany's Sabine Lisicki at the All England Club.
ADVERTISEMENT
After toiling for so long to savour the sweet taste of success at a major, Bartoli, whose injury-ravaged body was wearing down after years on tour, decided bowing out as a Wimbledon champion was the perfect end to her career.
New life
Since then the flamboyant Frenchwoman has focused on her new life off court, working to design a range of shoes and jewelry.
Back at the scene of her greatest triumph, Bartoli could have been forgiven for feeling the urge to pick up her racquet again, but she is adamant she could never contemplate returning to tennis with constant injury problems.
"Look at my shoulder. Literally I can't even lift my arm every morning. It was the same last year, and didn't improve from a year after, even without playing much tennis," Bartoli told reporters.
"I don't miss every morning having to wake up and not being able to lift my arm; having my whole body terribly sore. So, definitely no regrets at all. I moved on into something different. I just launched my shoe line three weeks ago during the French Open. Designing jewellery, too.
Reigning champion
"There are so many things going on in my life right now, but I'm just extremely honoured to be still the 2013 Wimbledon champion and reigning champion just for the next two weeks.
Bartoli has been too busy to miss her playing days for long as she cares for her father and longtime coach, Walter, who she says has been hospitalised because of an illness, while also working as a tennis commentator at various tournaments.
In that role analysing the sport, she has had a good look at the next generation of emerging stars taking her place and she believes this year's Wimbledon could be the launchpad for several promising talents.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
