Marion Bartoli misses Wimbledon invitation match on ‘medical’ grounds

July 6, 2016

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli dropped from doubles match
She had been due to play in exhibition game in second week of SW19
The 31-year-old French player replaced following doctor’s assessment
Concerns have been raised over her weight after dropping three stone

Alexander Ward For The Daily Mail

Published:
19:52 EST, 5 July 2016

|
Updated:
01:09 EST, 6 July 2016

View
comments

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, pictured after winning in 2013, has been dropped from an exhibition doubles game on medical grounds

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli was dropped from playing an invitation doubles match alongside Anne Keothavong yesterday on ‘medical’ grounds.

Friends of the 31-year-old French player said that she was deeply upset by the decision to replace with British player Melanie South in the Ladies’ Invitation Doubles, an exhibition match to be held in the second week of the tournament.

Officials did not add to the brief statement issued saying that Bartoli had been replaced, following an assessment by a doctor yesterday morning.

Bartoli caused concern at this year’s tournament after flaunting her dramatic weight loss that has come about since her retirement from professional tennis in 2013.

She is adamant that she had returned to her ‘natural shape’ and ‘tiny frame’.

The medical assessment did not stop Bartoli from spending a full day at work around SW19 as a summariser for Fox Asia television.

Despite beating Serena Williams in 2011 and winning Wimbledon in 2013, Bartoli’s playing days were dogged by concerns that her small frame would prevent her from reaching the top.

Bartoli said that she would not comment on the decision of Wimbledon officials.

Last month, she admitted to adhering to a strict diet while launching a tennis clothing range, dropping three stone (20 kg) after she stopped going to the gym.

Miss Bartoli said: ‘I’m completely gluten-free, sugar free, dairy-free, salt-free and everything organic. [I eat] steamed vegetables, salads, cucumbers.

Scroll down for video

Teen tennis star overcomes series of operations and teasing…

Andy Murray ‘can deal with pressure’ of expectation ahead of…

‘There’s a nice dessert that’s dairy-free, sugar-free, fat-free, butter-free and made of coconut oil.’

Bartoli became a Wimbledon crowd favourite during 2013 after John Inverdale asked Radio 5 Live listeners whether they thought Bartoli’s father told her ‘you’re never going to be a looker’.

Bartoli, centre, has remained in tennis as a pundit, appearing on the BBC’s Today at Wimbledon with Clare Balding, left, and former men’s champion John McEnroe

Concerns have been raised over Bartoli’s weight after she shed three stone after quitting the gym and adopting a new diet

Mr Inverdale later apologised to her at the champions’ ball, where she replied, ‘don’t worry about that, what do you think of my heels?’

Bartoli has insisted that she is fit and healthy, taking part in a month-long test of her physical endurance involving swimming, cycling, running, hiking and climbing.

The All England Club said in a statement: ‘Marion Bartoli (FRA) is replaced in the Ladies’ Invitation Doubles event (medical). Her place is taken by Melanie South (GBR).’