After more than four years of retirement, France’s Marion Bartoli surprised us with an announcement of a comeback to the WTA Tour in spring 2018, more precisely, at the Miami Open in the second half of March.
Bartoli’s retirement was abrupt, happening just over a month after her astonishing run to her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 2013. The Frenchwoman quit the sport due to persistent and overwhelming pain from injuries, while during her time away from tennis she contracted a life-threatening mystery virus that caused a very scary weight loss which was just a reflection of a plethora of other alarming health issues. During that nightmare period, the former world No.7 did remain active, designing jewelry and tennis clothes for Fila, as well as working as a commentator for Eurosport.
Now back at her healthy weight, the 33-year-old winner of eight WTA titles admits that the comeback is going to be a huge challenge and that a lot of practice is still ahead of her, but she’s looking forward to reviving her tennis career, especially playing the Fed Cup, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
I remember her unorthodox style of play. It think she’ll do well in hardcourts and especially grass. Let’s see if she breaks through.
My husband always liked Bartoli. I believe it was Justin G. at Tennis Channel who said she wasn’t done when she retired but this is pleasant surprise. Looking forward to seeing many faces return to the WTA in 2018.