An Introduction To Marion....

Marion was born in a little village called Le Puy en Velay on 2 October 1984. At that moment, in 1984, nobody knew that a little star had risen. A star with a two-handed forehand, dark hair and brown eyes. A star who would be known worldwide someday; her name is Marion Bartoli.

Although Marion is only 170 cm tall and weighs 58 kg she surprised all the so-called specialists by her different style of playing tennis. Her way to return opponents' serves is marvellous. She always stands around 40-50 cm from the baseline and that is something special today when the speeds of serves are been always very high. Marion explains her style: "I was born at a town where it was very cold during winter time and we had to practise indoors at a hall. The hall was such little that there wasn't any extra space there behind the baseline. That's why I have been used to stand inside the baseline."

In modern tennis the two-handed forehand is very rare and that's why everybody compares Marion to the now retired Monica Seles who also hit her forehands two-handed. The two-handed forehand has worked very well for Marion, it has been Marion's brand and she has to keep to it. 

Marion’s first tentative steps on tour were made at the ITF events during 1999 when she was still at the tender age of 15. Understandably all of the three events that Marion played were in her home country of France. Marion’s debut came in early August at Les Contamines $25,000 where she breezed through her first qualifying round 6-1 6-1. The next event  provided even more success with a run to the semi-finals in the doubles.

In the following year Marion played two more ITF events, one in France, one in Belgium at Koksijde. Again Marion had two first round singles exits while at the event in Belgium her and partner C. Gajo reached the final of the doubles. In addition Marion played at the Orange Bowl juniors event in Key Biscane and in the first significant victory on the tour went on to become champion. (see picture) Marion ended the year 2000 with a ranking of 1120.

ITF Breakthrough And US Open Junior Champion (2001)

A decisive year for Marion as she announced her full time entry onto the ITF tour in style. After a couple of false starts at ITF events in January, Marion stormed to ten successive victories and in the process claimed back to back titles at Hatfield £10,000 and Torino $10,000. Later in the year Marion also returned to Belgium, this time to win the $10,000 in Koksijde. In winning here Marion is in great company as Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are also previous winners at this event.

However these three victories were put in the shade as Marion eclipsed the challenge of S. Kuznetsova in the final, to become the US Open Junior Champion. An admirer of the legend pistol Pete Sampras, Marion was delighted to receive an autographed t-shirt from her hero after the final. Later Marion explained that she would cheer for Pete in his US Open Final, but that she would only cheer while watching on TV, because Pete had a habit of losing when Marion was present. An unforgettable day this success not only raised Marion’s profile but was proof of Marion’s great potential and she ended the year over 750 places higher than the previous year, at 345.

Continued ITF & US Open Success (2002) 

After a meteoric rise up the rankings the previous year, Marion continued to excel on the ITF tour this time winning two of the bigger tour events: the Poitiers $50,000 and the Columbus $25,000. However the highlight of the year once more was Marion’s performance at the US Open, only this time in the full WTA event. After winning three qualifying matches Marion was handed a seemingly impossible draw against the no25. seed & tour veteran A. Sanchez Vicario in the first round. (See photo) Marion upset all the predictions defeating her opponent and being named 'Player of the Day'. After a victory against N. Rios in the R64, Marion was unlucky to have to face S. Williams in the R32. Marion was completely overwhelmed that day but her success was already cemented and the switch to the full WTA tour was only a matter of time. Marion ended the year just outside the top 100 with a ranking of 106.

WTA Tour Breakthrough (2003)

2003 saw Marion in action full time on the WTA tour and she recorded a great end of year record of 35 victories with only 26 losses. Although Marion did not win any tournaments this year, she was competing consistently for the first time against the best players in the world. Marion of course adapted well and comfortably took this step up in her stride with super performances in both Indian Wells and Miami. This was a spectacular year in which Marion established herself on the tour and is arguably the very solid foundation year on the WTA tour from which Marion continues to build on. Once more Marion advanced rapidly up the rankings, this time to 57 in the world.

First WTA Title & Fed Cup Selection (2004)

Marion consolidated her breakthrough with another very successful and progressive year on the WTA tour. After a good run in Auckland early in the year, Marion won her first WTA tour title: the doubles at the tier IV event in Casablanca. Consequently she peaked in the doubles rankings at a high of 15!! This was a great reward for Marion’s continued efforts as she battled to a year end record of 31 victories and only 25 losses. An important development was her inclusion for the first time in the French Fed Cup team. However this is the length of Marion’s Fed Cup experiences as well as competing with compatriots Mary. Pierce, Amelie Mauresmo, Tatiana Golovin and Nathalie Dechy for a place, she has been often unfortunately been rather overlooked for selection. Marion ended 2004 by breaking into the top 50, with a ranking of 41.

An Injury Disrupted Year (2005)

Again Marion started the year exceptionally well with another good run in Auckland. However singles retirements in Canberra and Pattaya City were followed by a month largely on the sidelines throughout April and May, although Marion managed to win the doubles in Pattaya City. On her return at Rolland Garros Marion continued her poor form there, before improving during the grass court season and the run up to the US Open. Marion again performed well, reaching the third round this time, matching her feat of 2002. Quebec proved to be a great tournament for Marion as she reached the semi finals in both singles and doubles before injury forced retirement and withdrawal. However Marion ended the year on a high on her return to the ITF tour taking the Dubai $75,000 event in style. (See picture). Marion ended the year with a ranking of 37.

Auckland Glory And The Top 20 (2006)

Marion continued her winning run to 10 straight games by capturing her first WTA tour singles title in the first event of the year in Auckland. A huge moment for Marion and her father who is ever present on tour, Marion was delighted to achieve this victory and later dedicated it to her father. This victory propelled Marion to a new career high ranking of 26. During the clay court season Marion experienced the usual difficulties despite reaching the second round at Roland Garros. A strong showing at the US Open (R32) precluded a runner-up spot in Bali and the capture of Marion's second and third career WTA titles: Tokyo & Quebec. In doing so Marion finished on a high by breaking into the top 20 for the first time with a ranking of 17.