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?'"
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.