Marion Bartoli Splits From Her Dad

Written by: Staff on 11th February 2013

Marion Bartoli Splits From Her Dad

epa03538222 Marion Bartoli of France hits a backhand during her 2nd round match against Vesna Dolonc of Serbia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2013. EPA/Mast Irham |

The parental coaching relationship between world no. 10 Marion Bartoli and her father Walter, long one of the most criticised and combustible double acts in tennis, is apparently no more.

After more than 20 years of coaching his daughter, Dr. Walter Bartoli ( a former physician and general practitioner) can return to his medical careers as Marion has decided the time is right to move in another direction and is hoping to appoint French Fed Cup captain and former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo as her main coach.

Last week Bartoli travelled to France’s Fed Cup tie against Germany in Limoges without her father for the first time since 2004. Because of a bout of influenza, she did not figure in the 3-1 defeat for France, with world no.69 Kristina Mladenovic and 76th ranked Pauline Parmentier picked for singles by Mauresmo.

But after refusing to play for France for eight years because of national team that exclude parents or private coaches from being involved during Davis or Fed Cup preparation, there has clearly been a major change of thinking on Bartoli’s behalf.

Now aged 28 and clearly of the mind that she needs to try something different to maximize her career potential before it is too late, Bartoli has finally agreed to become integrated into the Federation Francaise de Tennis (FFT) system.

Speaking in Limoges to Agence Francaise de Press (AFP), Bartoli explained: “Much has been discussed together, there is no rupture or clash, it is just the culmination of a long reflection.

“It happened little by little, my father always wanted the best for me and he told me that it might be better if I try something else to get what I want: a Grand Slam title.”

Bartoli, a Wimbledon finalist in 2007 and a French Open semi-finalist in 2011 insisted nothing has yet been formally signed with Mauresmo while adding that she and her father remain on good terms. “I talk to him every day on the phone, there is no problem,” she said. “We are always connected. For me the ideal would be to be with someone to help me win a Grand Slam and I think Amelie can. But it is up to her.”

Moving forward, Bartoli will use the services of FFT coaches and physios such as Nicolas Perrotte and Xavier Moreau.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Dr. Walter Bartoli, Federation Francaise de Tennis, Italian tennis news, Marion Bartoli, Sports, Tennis News