Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli announces shock comeback | CNN

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli announces shock comeback

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Published 5:43 AM EST, Wed December 20, 2017
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Marion Bartoli, 33, announces shock return to WTA Tour

She retired one month after winning Wimbledon in 2013

The French star hopes to play the Miami Open in March 2018

CNN  — 

She stunned the world by retiring from tennis just a month after becoming Wimbledon champion.

But now, a little over four years later, France’s Marion Bartoli is back.

“I have something to tell you – I’m coming back this year on the professional tour!” Bartoli told fans in a Twitter announcement as unexpected as her abrupt retirement in the aftermath of her first grand slam triumph.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge and I still have a lot of practice ahead of me,” she added, “but I’m hoping to be ready for March and the Miami Open.”

Bartoli, 33, won eight WTA titles over the course of a distinguished career, reaching a career high ranking of No. 7 in the world.

Her crowning moment came at Wimbledon in 2013, when she didn’t drop a single set en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish.

In 2013, Marion Bartoli was crowned Wimbledon champion. The Frenchwoman shocked the tennis world by retiring just one month later, but now ishe's back...
Will Bartoli be back? —
In 2013, Marion Bartoli was crowned Wimbledon champion. The Frenchwoman shocked the tennis world by retiring just one month later, but now ishe's back...
CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images
Grass was Bartoli's most successful surface. The 29-year-old didn't drop a set throughout her triumph in 2013, while she also reached the final at the All England Club in 2007.
Will Bartoli be back? —
Grass was Bartoli's most successful surface. The 29-year-old didn't drop a set throughout her triumph in 2013, while she also reached the final at the All England Club in 2007.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
In the 2013 final -- and after taking a nap an hour before it began -- Bartoli beat big-serving German Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4.
Will Bartoli be back? —
In the 2013 final -- and after taking a nap an hour before it began -- Bartoli beat big-serving German Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4.
STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP/Getty Images
Bartoli made her way to her player box after the final and exchanged hugs with her team, which included dad Walter (middle) and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo (right) who now coaches Andy Murray.
Will Bartoli be back? —
Bartoli made her way to her player box after the final and exchanged hugs with her team, which included dad Walter (middle) and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo (right) who now coaches Andy Murray.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
Walter encouraged his daughter to adopt a two-handed playing style as a child after being inspired by the success of Monica Seles.
Will Bartoli be back? —
Walter encouraged his daughter to adopt a two-handed playing style as a child after being inspired by the success of Monica Seles.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Six weeks after her Wimbledon triumph she lost her opening match at the Cincinnati Open on August 14 and shortly after quit tennis due to injuries. "My shoulder was on fire, my back," she said. "I remember telling myself, 'What are you doing here? What's the point of being in so much pain?'"
Will Bartoli be back? —
Six weeks after her Wimbledon triumph she lost her opening match at the Cincinnati Open on August 14 and shortly after quit tennis due to injuries. "My shoulder was on fire, my back," she said. "I remember telling myself, 'What are you doing here? What's the point of being in so much pain?'"
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Bartoli also developed a distinctive serving style. She reached the semifinals on the red clay of Roland Garros at the 2011 French Open.
Will Bartoli be back? —
Bartoli also developed a distinctive serving style. She reached the semifinals on the red clay of Roland Garros at the 2011 French Open.
PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images
Bartoli reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 U.S. Open, and the same stage of the Australian Open in 2009.
Will Bartoli be back? —
Bartoli reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 U.S. Open, and the same stage of the Australian Open in 2009.
Getty Images
Looking back at Marion Bartoli's career

Bartoli tearfully announced her retirement from the sport just 39 days after lighting up Centre Court, citing recurring injuries and persistent injuries.

“I made my dream a reality … but now by body just can’t cope with everything” she said then, telling reporters “I won’t come back. It’s done.”

READ: Why even Federer had moments he ‘wanted to walk away from tennis’

An unexpected return

Never say never. Bartoli is the latest in a long line of former grand slam champions to return to the WTA Tour.

Tennis legends Kim Clijsters, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Lindsay Davenport have all been unable to resist the lure of the game, returning reinvigorated.

Marion Bartoli was in good spirits as she chatted to CNN's Open Court about her life in retirement after winning the Wimbledon title in July. She felt right at home in the gardens of Claude Monet, since she's an avid painter.
Life after tennis —
Marion Bartoli was in good spirits as she chatted to CNN's Open Court about her life in retirement after winning the Wimbledon title in July. She felt right at home in the gardens of Claude Monet, since she's an avid painter.
It was a different Bartoli in Cincinnati in August when she abruptly quit tennis due to injuries. "My shoulder was on fire, my back," she said. "I remember telling myself, 'What are you doing here? What's the point of being in so much pain?'"
Professional pain —
It was a different Bartoli in Cincinnati in August when she abruptly quit tennis due to injuries. "My shoulder was on fire, my back," she said. "I remember telling myself, 'What are you doing here? What's the point of being in so much pain?'"
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
A month earlier, Bartoli captured the title at the All England Club in southwest London and joined Andy Murray in the winners' circle. She didn't drop a set throughout the fortnight.
Crowning moment —
A month earlier, Bartoli captured the title at the All England Club in southwest London and joined Andy Murray in the winners' circle. She didn't drop a set throughout the fortnight.
CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images
In the final -- and after taking a nap an hour before it began -- Bartoli beat big-serving German Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4. "I said 100 times, 'I just can't believe it,'" said Bartoli. "It took me more than a month to realize I won."
Sleep before victory —
In the final -- and after taking a nap an hour before it began -- Bartoli beat big-serving German Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4. "I said 100 times, 'I just can't believe it,'" said Bartoli. "It took me more than a month to realize I won."
STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP/Getty Images
Bartoli made her way to her player box after the final and exchanged hugs with her team, which included dad Walter (middle) and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo (right). Walter coached his daughter from a young age.
Fatherly support —
Bartoli made her way to her player box after the final and exchanged hugs with her team, which included dad Walter (middle) and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo (right). Walter coached his daughter from a young age.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
After a BBC presenter made a disparaging remark about Bartoli's appearance, she showed up looking glamorous at the Wimbledon Ball. "I never dreamed of being a model," she said. "I dreamed about winning Wimbledon." Murray posed for a picture with Bartoli.
Ball girl —
After a BBC presenter made a disparaging remark about Bartoli's appearance, she showed up looking glamorous at the Wimbledon Ball. "I never dreamed of being a model," she said. "I dreamed about winning Wimbledon." Murray posed for a picture with Bartoli.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Based on her form and fitness entering Wimbledon, Bartoli thought she had little chance of triumphing at SW19. She pulled out of her second match at Eastbourne, which precedes the grass-court major. "I had personal issues, was sick, had a virus. I was on my own."
Unexpected triumph —
Based on her form and fitness entering Wimbledon, Bartoli thought she had little chance of triumphing at SW19. She pulled out of her second match at Eastbourne, which precedes the grass-court major. "I had personal issues, was sick, had a virus. I was on my own."
GLYN KIRK,GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Bartoli also lost badly at the French Open to Francesca Schiavone. She had a love-hate relationship with many of the French fans and was in dispute with her federation for most of her 13-year career.
Love-hate relationship —
Bartoli also lost badly at the French Open to Francesca Schiavone. She had a love-hate relationship with many of the French fans and was in dispute with her federation for most of her 13-year career.
GLYN KIRK,GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Grass was Bartoli's most successful surface, with the 29-year-old also reaching the Wimbledon final in 2007. On that occasion she lost to Venus Williams.
Green, green grass of Wimbledon —
Grass was Bartoli's most successful surface, with the 29-year-old also reaching the Wimbledon final in 2007. On that occasion she lost to Venus Williams.
GLENN CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty Images
Back in Monet's gardens, Bartoli told CNN she recently graduated from art school in Switzerland with a grade of 90%. She brought brushes with her and painted while at tournaments on the tennis tour.
Artistic apprecation —
Back in Monet's gardens, Bartoli told CNN she recently graduated from art school in Switzerland with a grade of 90%. She brought brushes with her and painted while at tournaments on the tennis tour.
Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport famously made comebacks but Bartoli has ruled out a return to the tennis tour. "I have so many things that I love to do besides playing," she says. Perhaps that will include painting picture-perfect settings.
Picture perfect —
Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport famously made comebacks but Bartoli has ruled out a return to the tennis tour. "I have so many things that I love to do besides playing," she says. Perhaps that will include painting picture-perfect settings.
Marion Bartoli: An artist on and off court

Now Bartoli looks set to do the same.

“I’m really looking forward to be on the court again in front of you, to feel your support, especially in Paris, in Roland Garros, in my home country, but also for the Fed Cup and Wimbledon” said the Frenchwoman. “I’m so looking forward to it!”

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The Miami Open, where Bartoli expects to return to the court, takes place from March 19 to April 1 2018.