Monday News

Monday's ranking reveal a slip of two places to No.15 for Marion, but she hasn't played for almost a month so this has to be factored into the equasion.

After Wimbledon last year Marion was No.17. In real terms this is a better gauge of Marion's progress.

One of the players who has overtaken Marion in the ranking is Flavia Pennetta. She who won the clay title in Palermo yesterday.

Different players set different targets for their season. Pennetta is a pretty useful clay court player, so this period serves as an opportunity for the Italian No.1 to collect ranking points ahead of the hard court season.

So let's enjoy this final week off before Marion makes her return to competition at the Bank Of The West Classic in Stanford.

Bartoli Strengths

If you haven't read Dave Sammel's succinct appraisal of the Bartoli game, then click here.

Writing soon after Marion captured the Monterrey title in March, Sammel points to Marion's ball placement, court awareness, and ability to get her body behind the ball as key elements in her success.

Sammel is part of the current contingent of overseas coaches working in British tennis.

A Becoming Hero (very)

Do you ever get feelings of awe, nostalgia, and something you just can't quite put your finger on whenever you glimpse back in time?

Sssshhhh.. look..

mini mama :.

Actually you can see the intensity in her eyes and commitment level even at such tender years.

Translation

Marion Bartoli Fan Blog is now available in French, Italian, and German. Just click on one of the little flags above. Hope you like the new graphics and layout.

Middle column background - Sort of gypsy hippie look, love that wild unkempt hair.

Lastly, just some advance notice that updates at www.marion-bartoli.net will soon discontinue and the site become inactive.

Edit 21/07/09