Former Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli has been asked by organizers to leave the women’s invitational doubles at Wimbledon, it has been revealed. The 31-year-old, who retired after her Grand Slam victory in 2013, has been the subject of concern after her dramatic weight loss.
The French ace was infamously described by former BBC tennis pundit John Inverdale as “not a looker” when she won her title in 2013, and had been the subject of several body shaming jibes in the media since.
Bartoli’s dramatic weight loss has led many to believe the tennis star has developed an unspecified eating disorder, although she has denied these claims in the media. The former top-10 player has instead said she is on a strictly regimented diet and workout, and works out four hours a day.
She had been due to partner British player Anne Keothavong in her category, but has since been replaced by local player Melanie South.
A note from the referee’s office said that Bartoli had been replaced “for medical reasons,” with neither Wimbledon authorities nor Bartoli elaborating any further.
There have been allegations that Bartoli may be considering legal action against the authorities, but these have not yet been substantiated.
