Ten Questions with 2007 Wimbledon Finalist Marion Bartoli

The 2007 tennis season was a year to remember for France’s Marion Bartoli. The 23-year old resident of Switzerland completed her best season to date with an ascent into the top 10, $1,246,906 in prize money, and most impressive, a spectacular run to the final at Wimbledon.

I caught up with Marion shortly before the season ended to get her perspective on 2007 and her goals for 2008.

Reaching the final at Wimbledon was the greatest Grand Slam moment of your career. Can you describe what you felt walking out onto Centre Court that Saturday?
I felt a mixture of glow, blended with emotion and pride after coming back [against Henin in the semifinals] on the magical Centre Court of Wimbledon.

What was the most important thing you learned from your loss to Venus Williams in the final?
This match didn’t teach me anything special that I didn’t already know. Of course, it only reinforced in me the idea of improving my service and the technique of return, which were the key points of this final against Venus.

Against another player it would have been less obvious indeed.

After storming to your first Grand Slam final, how hard was it to deal with your newfound stardom while preparing for the summer hard court season and the US Open?
It is surely in this new departure that I made the most errors, because I did not want to listen to my coach who recommended for me to take more time . . . I paid for it dearly. It was only during the tournament in Toronto that I could definitely get ready.

How meaningful has it been to work closely with your father as your coach over the years?
It was a great feeling of pride because so many people tried to explain to me that it was not a good choice. Finally [after Wimbledon] I had the confirmation that they had changed their opinion, telling me now that it’s a good choice.

On-court coaching has been tested extensively over the past two seasons. What do you think about having coaches take a more active role in a match?
I find it very interesting, and I took advantage of it because this can help my game. We decide together when to do it or not in order to be more effective by improving the quality of our work.

You have competed at over twenty-five tournaments this season. Where do you find the energy and motivation to play so much in one year?
It is very simple, I love tennis. For me to go on Tour is not a pressure, but a chance. On the contrary, when at home I lose the motivation training alone. Competition motivates me a lot.

Not many tennis fans know this, but you are a budding artist. How does painting help you to relax and remain focused off the court?
I simply like painting without any stress. It allows me to save energy while bringing me a lot of pleasure.

The 2007 season was memorable for you because of a Grand Slam breakthrough, a new career-high within the top ten, and the distinction of becoming France’s No. 1 player. How do you hope to build on that momentum in the coming year?

First of all, I absolutely want to improve in the beginning of the new year in order to be able to have a more consistent season and feel less pressure when Wimbledon will arrive.

Then I think that the whole program set up for 2007 will help me to keep this positive momentum.

The next season will be doubly special because of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. How extraordinary will it be to represent France for the first time in the Olympics?
For the Olympic Games things are a bit complicated, for the moment I’m not thinking about this event.

How do you plan to spend the off-season before heading to Australia?
As usual, by preparing for the new season at home in Switzerland.

For more information on Marion Bartoli, visit her official website at www.marionbartoli.com

This exclusive interview with Marion Bartoli is part of On the Baseline Tennis News’ 2008 Players to Watch Series.