Marion Bartoli successfully transitioned from a professional tennis player to a commentator.
During her playing career she broke into the top 10 and won eight titles and the last of the trophies was the biggest one of all.
Bartoli made her way through the field to clinch the 2013 Wimbledon title, the biggest victory of her career.
12 years on from her retirement, the Frenchwoman reflects on the era of tennis she played in and how it is different from the current era.
Marion Bartoli wants more consistency at the top of the women’s game
Marion Bartoli played during the 2000s and early 2010s, an era which featured the likes of Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin.
These four players hold a plethora of titles between them and were mainstays in the WTA top 10 during their careers.
During an interview with Tennis Channel, Bartoli admitted how ‘difficult’ it was to break into the top 10 during her playing days.
Furthermore, as a commentator, Bartoli has a keen eye for the women’s game and she has explained what she would like to see change at the top of the game.
“I think people really enjoyed that time,” she told Tennis Channel. “But now we have some great stars as well with Coco winning Roland Garros and Sabalenka being so consistent and Madison Keys winning her first Grand Slam.
“We always have really good stories but I think if we can have that consistency on the top of the game, it would be great.”
Marion Bartoli says the previous era of women’s tennis had more variety than the current era
Bartoli played in an era against opponents who brought different game styles to the court.
She faced the strength, power and athleticism of the Williams sisters, the finesse of Henin and the touch and creativity of Amelie Mauresmo. Assessing the women’s game today, Bartoli thinks the variety that was once present on tour is now lacking.
“I think everyone has developed physically a lot more, I think someone ranked 50 now is a lot stronger physically,” Bartoli added. “Now I think the top 10 back in the days with all the champions we had were just so strong and with different game styles.
“You had Amelie Mauresmo who were serving and volleying, slicing and coming to the net. You had Justine Henin playing with a one-handed backhand, you Serena, you had Venus.
“You had different game style that you can identify yourself with and you wanted to see those matches. I would say now it’s a lot more homogeneous in the way the girls are playing, it’s more than just one game style.
“So I would say back then we had more variety. I think the top 10 overall was a bit stronger maybe but I think the depth of the game has improved so much.”
