Reading through how the French media have reported Marion's exit, some are fairer than others.
L'Equipe's Sophie Dorgan for example, while not shying from the painful truth, quite fairly puts the emphasis on what Schiavone did right rather than what Marion did wrong.
'"Honestly, she was stronger than me today. I had no real solutions." Marion Bartoli is not looking for false excusues, Francesca Schiavone was better, and the score (7-6 [5], 6-0 in 1:29 ') reflects this third round match. When Schiavone plays well, she appears.. inexhaustible' wrote Dorgan.
'Marion Bartoli had no strength to fight, "Even if I had won the first set, it was very hard to maintain physically for a set. At 4-0 in the second set was really tough physically. It's disappointing to lose, but I can not say that I had the cards. She went to win the match."'
Bartoli n'avait pas les armes (Francais)
Eurosport writers 'JC & SP' on the other hand are less sympathetic, In an article containing the sub heading, Chilling With Bartoli, (some witty retort per chance to my "chilled out storm" remark after round 2?).The unnamed writers begin by dove tailing Marion's fate with that of Virginie Razzano, and imply that Marion wasn't showing full commitment during the match.
The article begins quoting Razzano,
"I'm really disappointed for Vera because she is a girl I like very much. She is very fair-play on the court and outside she is really nice. She is very respectful.. You can not read these compliments without thinking about what happened with Marion Bartoli. In the next round, expected course a Virginie Razzano reunion with the daughter of Walter Bartoli. Perhaps they also where. But yet it will not happen. Marion Bartoli dropped the first, while the second was already worrying about how to spend her time in London this weekend."'
Razzano-Bartoli rendevous manque (Francais)
As with myself, Dorgan was actually at the match, it is interesting that we are picking up on a noticeable drop in energy over the 2nd set.
In the run up to Roland Garros, Marion used the phrase, "a crescendo of energy", to describe her preparations and build up. The idea being that you tune your body, practicing, and training to peak at just the right time time when you need to perform at your best.
On Friday, Schiavone was on a roll, and the Bartoli crescendo was a little off rhythm.
It is completely unfair and irresponsible to suggest Marion was uninterested and only cared about having a nice weekend break in London. Marion is not that sort of girl. Walter is not that sort of coach or father. Both of them are completely conscientous, scrupulous, and hard working in everything they do. Yet perhaps for that very reason, the way "Marion Bartoli had no strength to fight", how should I put this, points to a paradox.
As far back as Melbourne, Marion wrote in her blog that she felt really tired sometimes after her training, and has repeatedly talked of feeling tired and being In a bad mood. I see Marion’s mood fluctuate significantly according to results.
However, It’s interesting that on this occasion after this exit at Wimbledon she composed her words with great clarity, honesty, and magnanimity in defeat. (Perhaps just as well really, cos if she had cried at the end of the Schiavone match that would have just set me off too.)
i'm just a devoted fan, and just worry about my favourite player.
Tomorrow is my last day here. So I may go down to Wimbledon to kill some time, and maybe take in the Razzano Schiavone match. Don’t worry, I won’t be tearing up the hotel bed sheet and making a banner from lipstick which says, SPECIAL GIRL... even though i’m tempted! But look out for the twitters.
For Marion the Razzano-L'Equipe matter is closed and she has moved on.
