CURRENT WIMBLEDON CHAMPION Marion Bartoli has announced her immediate retirement from tennis following her defeat in Cincinnati on Wednesday.
The world number seven, who was beaten 3-6 6-4 6-1 by Simona Halep at the Western & Southern Open, said injuries had made it impossible for her to play on.
The 28-year-old Frenchwoman said she has pain in her Achilles, shoulder, hips and lower back continuously when she plays.
“I have pain everywhere after 45 minutes or an hour of play … It’s just body wise I just can’t do it anymore,” a tearful Bartoli said.
“Everyone will remember my Wimbledon title. No-one will remember the last match I played here.
That (Wimbledon triumph) was probably the last little bit of something that was left inside me.”
Bartoli leaves the sport having won eight WTA singles titles, including a shock grand slam triumph at the All-England Club last month.
In a huge shock, she defeated German Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4 to claim her first major title in 47 attempts.
Speaking after her loss in Cincinnati, Bartoli said the time was right to walk away.
“Well, it’s never easy and obviously there is never a time to say it or whatever, but that was actually the last match of my career,” she said.
“I feel it’s time for me to walk away.”
