Marion Bartoli
Marion Bartoli is the current patron of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, taking the position in July 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Bartoli
Marion is a former French professional tennis player and current commentator and ambassador for tennis and sport. She won the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championship in 2023 and reached a highest world ranking of No. 7 for women’s singles in 2012. She reached at least the quarterfinals of each of the four major tennis tournaments in singles, including the Wimbledon final in 2007, as well as 2013, and the semi-finals of the French Open in 2011. In total, she won eight Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles titles and three doubles titles on the professional tennis tour. She was a professional tennis player between 2000 and 2013, retiring shortly after her Wimbledon victory.
Since retiring from tennis, Marion has been involved with tennis coaching, and as a tennis consultant for many media outlets. She also undertakes various ambassadorial and philanthropic ventures. She exemplifies how elite athletes can pivot to meaningful post‑career roles using their platforms to champion health, equity, and empowerment. Her journey from Wimbledon champion to humanitarian leader resonates widely, blending sporting brilliance with societal purpose. Marion serves as a role model to millions around the world.
In June 2024, Marion was named a "Game Changer,” a distinguished ambassador in the Women Change the Game campaign, a collaboration between the WTA Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Foundation). The campaign launched on International Women’s Day, with a pivotal goal: Deliver prenatal vitamins to at least one million women in low‑ and middle‑income countries by International Women’s Day 2025.
Marion also supports the Global Women’s Health Fund & Advocacy. It was launched with a $1.5 million donation from Hologic, the WTA’s title sponsor. The fund channels contributions into the UNICEF‑led Child Nutrition Fund, focused on maternal and child health.
In June 2025, during the inaugural WTA Finals in Riyadh, Marion, along with other WTA legends, joined the launch of “Championing Women’s Health Together,” a high‑profile event that spotlighted women’s health and empowerment in the region. It brought government, healthcare, and philanthropic leaders together to discuss maternal and child malnutrition, featuring influential partnerships, including the Gates Foundation, Saudi ministries, WTA, and Hologic.
Marion has been formally recognised by her home country with the rank of Officier de l’ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) in 2014 and Chevalier de la légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) in 2023. The Legion of Honour is the highest civilian honour in France.
Written and published August 2025
