• Tennis

Bartoli to play in Wimbledon legends event

ESPN staff
January 22, 2014
Marion Bartoli announced her retirement two weeks after winning Wimbledon © Getty Images
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Marion Bartoli is set to return at Wimbledon this year - but in the invitational legends' doubles event rather than coming out of retirement to defend her singles crown.

Bartoli, 29, retired suddenly just two weeks after defeating Sabine Lisicki in the All England Club final last summer.

"So I will play the second week," she said on Wednesday.

At the Australian Open doing commentary for French television, Bartoli is also promoting a new line of jewellery designed for female tennis players.

"I'm still so passionate about tennis," she told The Associated Press. "Unfortunately I can't play anymore because of my body, but the passion is still inside, definitely."

During her 14-year career, Bartoli suffered with several different injuries but admitted it was her shoulder that made her call it quits.

"The shoulder is basically damaged forever and I can't serve anymore," she said.

However Bartoli insists she has no regrets about walking away from the game.

"Don't expect me to cry or have tears in my eyes," she said. "I have the luxury to say I walk out of the game as the Wimbledon champion and believe me, that's not happening to everyone."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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