Bartoli Defeats Lisicki in Wimbledon Finals for First-Ever Grand Slam Crown
Marion Bartoli, a Wimbledon finalist in 2007, captured the 2013 title on Saturday after her 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sabine Lisicki for her first ever Grand Slam title. At her post-match news conference, Bartoli was still in amazement at her victory, "I still can’t realize I’m a Wimbledon champion, it’s just so overwhelming." After her win, Bartoli ran to her box, embracing her father Walter, Amélie Mauresmo and Kristina Mladenovic, among many others.
Bartoli’s first Grand Slam win came in the 47th Grand Slam tournament she played in her career, making it the longest wait for a first Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Jana Novotna had the previous record, winning in her 45th attempt at Wimbledon in 1998.
"As a pro, your dream is to win a Grand Slam, you dream about it every single day, you think about it every single day," said Bartoli. "So when it actually happens you have achieved something you have dreamed about for millions of hours. You went through pain, you went through tears, you went through low moments. Then, once it happens, in those five, 10 seconds before you shake the hand of your opponent, you feel you’re almost not walking any more on earth. You’re really flying."
At the All-England Lawn Tennis Club in 2007, Bartoli met American Venus Williams in the finals, losing 6-4, 6-1 to Venus. That year, Bartoli eliminated the top-seeded Justine Henin in the semifinals. It was the first time that the two lowest seeds ever appeared in a Wimbledon final, with Venus starting the tournament as the 23 seed and Bartoli was seeded 18th.
"Being called ‘Wimbledon champion’ will not change me as a person because I will always remain the same, very humble, very low-key and easy-going, down to earth," said Bartoli.
