“Serena is the most competitive person I’ve ever known” – Bartoli

Marion Bartoli has paid tribute to one of her old opponent’s greatest qualities

Serena Williams, of the USA, returns the ball against Belinda Bencic, of Switzerland, during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto on Wednesday, August 10 (Zuma/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

August 29, 2022

As Serena Williams prepares for her swansong Slam in New York, one of her former rivals has been reflecting on her legacy.

In the latest episode of Match Points, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli says that the 23-time Grand Slam champion is the most competitive person she has ever faced in her entire career.

“[She’s] the most competitive person I’ve ever seen in my life,” the Frenchwoman told host Josh Cohen. “Facing her, I always felt even though sometimes I was leading, the match was not mine, and the match was not on my terms.

“And I never felt that against any other players I ever faced.”

The two played four times on the tour, with Serena winning three times, all in straight sets. Bartoli’s one victory came in her 2011 Wimbledon campaign, winning 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the fourth round.

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