MARION BARTOLI ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW PATRON OF THE ELENA BALTACHA FOUNDATION

Posted 3rd Nov

News and Stories by Nino Severino

It is my honour and privilege to announce Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, as the new patron of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, our charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged young people through tennis. This appointment brings full circle a long-standing bond between Marion and my late wife, Elena “Bally” Baltacha, with whom she shared a close friendship.

Bally was a trailblazing British-based player; she passed away in 2014. In her memory, our foundation she founded runs free tennis roadshows in schools and a personal-development initiative called Sport Skills for Business, which helps students channel sporting lessons into life and careers.

Image 1: La Marion Bartoli tòlta śò durànt al Sony Eriksson Open, Miami dal 2012

Marion described her new role as deeply personal. She said, “When Nino came to me with the idea … I knew the shoes I had to fill were very large, but I promised him I would try my very best.” Despite now living outside the UK, Marion added, “I feel honoured … to support the foundation.” Her connection to my wife goes back many years. Marion has previously spoken about a pep talk from “Bally” before her famous Wimbledon run, crediting Bally with helping her relax, enjoy the game more, and bring perspective to her career.

Marion’s patronage comes at ‘a pivotal moment’; more than a decade after my wife’s passing, her legacy continues through ‘young people’s chance to experience this wonderful game’. Marion will have a great impact regarding this passionate vision.

Image 2: French Open of tennis semifinal, Francesca Schiavone vs Marion Bartoli 2011

Marion has long demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to philanthropy, leveraging her profile as a former Wimbledon champion into meaningful charitable action. In 2013, she joined a gala for the Novak Djokovic Foundation, supporting disadvantaged children and raising over £1 million. Beyond tennis, she has taken on a leading role in global women’s health. In June 2024, she was named a “Game Changer” for the WTA Gates Foundation Women Change the Game campaign, which aims to deliver prenatal vitamins to one million expectant mothers in low- and middle-income countries. Her work helps address maternal nutrition and child survival, bringing both advocacy and drive to the mission.

Image 3: Marion Bartoli celebrates during her third-round match with Julia Görges. Roland Garros 2011

Marion also backs community and youth development initiatives. Her participation in endurance fundraising events, including a multi-sport challenge raising more than £750,000 for the Big Change Trust, shows how she channels her energy off court in support of social causes. Her commitment stems from personal conviction: as the daughter of a doctor and a nurse, she has spoken about empathy and giving back being “in her DNA.” Through a blend of elite sport, high-profile advocacy, and grassroots involvement, Marion continues to make a powerful difference in the lives of others.

Image 4: Marion Bartoli 2009 US Open

Marion has built an equally respected career off court as a broadcaster and commentator, bringing her insightful analysis, sharp tactical eye, and candid style to major tennis tournaments. Since retiring, she has regularly worked for Eurosport, BBC, ITV, and Amazon, contributing commentary and punditry at Grand Slams, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Image 5: Paris, Open De tennis, 2018 Roland Garros, Stadium Lenglen

At Roland Garros, she has served as an on-court interviewer and analyst, joining a prominent team of former players and commentators. Fans and colleagues alike praise her for being genuine and unpretentious: as she has said herself, she “just describes what I see”, rather than imitating other voices in the commentary box.

Marion has maintained a professional, graceful presence in media, earning widespread respect for her articulate, balanced, and knowledgeable commentary. Her ability to break down complex match dynamics and explain players’ mindsets underscores why she is valued as a top-tier tennis analyst.

Image 6: Marion Bartoli, Roland Garros, 2010

Marion enjoyed an extraordinary professional tennis career marked by consistency, flair, and a stunning Grand Slam triumph. Turning pro in February 2000, she rose through the ranks with her distinctive two-handed strokes on both forehand and backhand, a style that set her apart on tour. Over her 13-year career, Marion claimed eight WTA singles titles and three doubles titles. She reached her career-high ranking of world No. 7 twice, first in January 2012, and again shortly after her Wimbledon victory in mid-2013. Marion’s legacy is defined by her 2013 Wimbledon triumph, where she beat Sabine Lisicki 6–1, 6–4 in the final. Impressively, she won the tournament without dropping a single set, a rare feat in Grand Slam history.

Image 7: WTA Tour

Beyond her win, she had previously been a finalist at Wimbledon in 2007 (losing to Venus Williams) and made deep runs elsewhere in Grand Slams, reaching the French Open semi-finals in 2011 and the quarter-finals at both the Australian and US Opens. Marion retired six weeks after her Wimbledon win, her competitive journey remains a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of persistence.

Image 8: Marion Bartoli US Open 2009

As Chairman, together with the entire Board of The Elena Baltacha Foundation, I am privileged, honoured, and proud to welcome Marion Bartoli as our Patron.

ATTRIBUTE AND CREDIT FOR THE IMAGES USED IN THIS ELENA BALTACHA FOUNDATION NEWS FEATURE:

Image 1: La Marion Bartoli tòlta śò durànt al Sony Eriksson Open, Miami dal 2012

Attribution and credit for images:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0

Charlie Cownes

Cropped version

Image 2: French Open of tennis semifinal, Francesca Schiavone vs Marion Bartoli 2011

Attribution and credit for images:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Frederic de Villamin https://www.flickr.com/people/fdevillamil/