French technical director Patrice Dominguez was asked today about when Nicolas Escude would rendevous with Marion.

Escudé will see Bartoli, Dominguez said at a press conference “Nicolas excludes nobody. The Team of France is opened to all those which want, more than any desire, to carry the shirt. It is on this line."

"Nicolas doesn't live very far from the place where Marion Bartoli and her father Walter live. He will propose to them the conditions, which will be those of the French team's choosing. He will choose the players that make up this team, and who will be selected after the Australian Open."

"I hope that it will be yes for a very simple reason - When Marion is at her best, it's certain that she can add considerably to the French Team. But, to be in team of France, it is also necessary to want it, and I will even say to want more than all and to pass from it beyond her own personal considerations, to blend oneself into the collective. The players know very well. Each time one could gain is because the collective was greater than personal egos.”

Article gathered from various news sources with main source credit; ouest-france.fr

Blog Comment

These words look like face-saving on the part of the FFT. Laying the public relations groudwork, Trying to look as if they and Escude are in change and haven't backed-down or been held to ransom by a player.

Walter was also playing the same mood music in his September interview. So maybe there is a coming together between everyone. However that was some time ago.

Some French tennis fans have pointed out that the staff of this current Fed Cup team is looking rather like Team-Momo. With Amelie Mauresmo's former PR manager and coach Alexia Dechaume appointed as Fed Cup team trainer.

It is fair to say that there is no love lost between Mauresmo and Nathalie Tauziat, who was an unsuccessful candidate for the job - thought to have been vetoed by Mauresmo. Tauziat was also Marion's tour designated mentor when Marion was starting out as a young pro.

Returning to Dominguez words, It's fine for him to talk about collectives and say no one is excluded. But can he reassure those who need to be reassured that the ostracism of the past wont occur ever again? Another name for a collective is a gang. And gangs can bully and marginalise, and seek to impose their own will and aganda over individuals.

But Marion is stronger then ever, as Walter said. She's an assertive and individualist girl, with a very healthy ego. She wont permit anyone to push her around..

Edited 00:40 12/17/2008