Marion Bartoli: A walk down the memory lane

Born in 1984 on the second of October in a small town in south-central France, she went on to become a tennis champion. Marion Bartoli, under the tutelage of her father, achieved success on the courts of Wimbledon earlier this year. Now, she is no longer a tennis player. Deciding to submit to nagging physical torments, she has announced her retirement.

Bartoli is widely known for her unorthodox style of play, unusual court rituals, uncommon IQ and is in many ways a unique player. Possessing a rare double fisted forehand-backhand game and a taut grip, she has now etched her name in history books as a Grand Slam champion.

Barring a minor stretch, Bartoli has since the nascent stages of her career been guided and coached by her father. A very loving daughter, Bartoli even refused to play Fed cup matches for many years and also forfeited an opportunity to represent France at the Olympics as it would mean his absence from her side. Only towards the end of her career did she decide to part ways with her father as a coach.

Since her introduction to the game, it was her father Walter who trained her. His training methods were unique. The court she used to practice earlier had very little space behind the baseline and had uneven surfaces, which has a persisting influence on her game. Even before announcing her retirement, she had contacted her father to inform him. Understanding his daughter’s predicament better than anyone else, he supported her decision.

She started her career by playing a few ITF tournaments at France in the year 1999. The following year, she turned professional and participated in the 2001 French Open as a wild card, her first ever WTA tour event. For the first few years, results were not instant. She progressed beyond the first round of a Slam at the 2003 US Open, losing in the third round to the fourth seed Lindsay Davenport.

Though she didn’t win her first title until 2006, she entered the top 100 by the end of 2003. The next season, she was in the top 50 and it was then when she played her first Fed cup matches. The beginning of the 2006 season saw her lift the Auckland singles trophy. From thereon, her progress was unhindered, entering the top 20 and finally making her debut Grand Slam Final at the 2007 Wimbledon, losing to Venus Williams in the title round.

The years progressed, but not her career. She continued to remain in the top 20 for a long time to come, but never found another breakthrough moment until 2013.

Thorough the 2013 season, Bartoli was afflicted by many injuries. In between the pain, like a blessing from heaven, came the 2013 Wimbledon title.

Wimbledon 2013 was marred with upsets and the draw, and when it proceeded to the last 8 stage, did not bear the top names. Bartoli, placed in the bottom half, decided to bear the pain for just some more time. She was presented with an opportunity to claim the title that she let slip six years ago.

Making most of the situation, she defeated Sabine Lisciki 6-1 6-4 to clinch the title. Perhaps, back then, even Bartoli herself was not aware that it would be her last Grand Slam. She had played in 46 other Slams previously, but she won this. It was perhaps destined that she should retire with a Grand Slam as a testimony of her hard work, perseverance and talent after all the rebuke and critique she has endured throughout her career.

After withdrawing from two tournaments and retiring in a third round match at Toronto, she lost 6-3 4-6 1-6 to Simona Halep in the second round of the Western and southern Open at Cincinnati. She announced her retirement soon after the match. She would surely miss her quotidian routine and her fans will miss her badly.

“My body just can’t do it anymore. I’ve already been through a lot of injuries since the beginning of the year. I’ve been on the tour for so long, and I really pushed through and left it all during that Wimbledon. I really felt I gave all the energy I have left in my body. I made my dream a reality and it will stay with me forever, but now my body just can’t cope with everything. I have pain everywhere after 45 minutes or an hour of play. I’ve been doing this for so long, and body-wise I just can’t do it anymore,” said Bartoli according to the WTA website.

Many of her peers and predecessors also expressed their shock at her sudden announcement and wished her luck in her future endeavours.

A thirteen year old journey has ended today. May she achieve success at whatever she does in the future.