Marion Bartoli, coach of the young Indian heiress: “At her age, I had the same delay as her”

In the freshness and dullness of the Tarbes Exhibition Center, the luxury of the towers of Dubai and the palm trees at the water’s edge seem far away. Living in the United Arab Emirates, Marion Bartoli nevertheless chose the Hautes-Pyrenees prefecture and its view of Pic du Midi on a clear day to spend her week. Twenty-five years after participating as a champion’s apprentice in the Petits As, the Under-14 World Championship, the former world No. 7 returns there as a coach.

The 2013 Wimbledon winner mentored the young Pallavi Patel for months after the unlikely encounter. “I was invited to the final of the Al Habtoor tournament, which I won in 2005,” Khabs says, wrapping himself up in the stands after a clean sheet defeat in the 1st round of his protected, middle-aged 13-year-old boy. In parallel, youth events were held. I saw Pallavi, I thought she had interesting qualities, although there were a lot of things to work on. His father came up to me at the end and said: Well, we’re a bit stuck on the training structures in Dubai, we feel like if she wants to have a chance, we need to do a lot more. I was asked to try and I agreed. »

Pallavi’s father is a wealthy Indian businessman (Dubai has a strong Indian community) who once competed in American university championships under the banner of Virginia Tech. “I confess I only half believed it when Marion asked,” he smiles. But this is an amazing opportunity for our family. (she also trains her cousin Pallavi) and we see progress day by day. »

The last French woman to win a Grand Slam does not count the clock. Finally yes. Three in tennis and two in physics six days a week.” You know me,” jokes the one who is also an RMC presenter, an adviser to Elena Ostapenko, or a line manager for health products and estimates her work week at 75 hours. When I do something, it’s always like that! »

At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, where practice seats are expensive, the former French No. 1 hardly has to fight to reserve practice spots. Pallavi’s father really does have his own yard… “It’s always been my dream,” he slips. But I hardly have the right to go there anymore, my daughter is on it all the time. “A few weeks ago, Marion Bartoli organized a family reunion in France with the legendary Venus Williams.

“Returning to youth competition after 25 years is both nostalgia and joy”

For Marion Bartoli, the experience is multifaceted. Between the bathroom of youth and the passage of the witness. “I got to know myself a little when I was little with the few people who gave me a chance,” she breathes. I wanted to give them one by putting myself completely into them. I love to transmit. Looking back 25 years later at youth competitions is both nostalgic and fun. We started from scratch, so it was very difficult. Even today we see everything that he lacks, especially in terms of experience. But I lost here in the first round of the French qualification, and this did not prevent me from succeeding in my career. The goal is to continue learning, to realize the level, the intensity, the amazingness that she is trying to play as much as possible with these girls during the week. (in training, doubles and repechage) and that she leaves with clear ideas of what she could improve and a desire to do more. »

It is difficult to draw a parallel between the little girl from Returnac, trained in the iconoclastic methods of Dr. Walter, and the frail Indian who uses a golden spoon as a humidifier. And still. “But it reminded me so much of my project,” she says. With the desire to succeed and with so many doubts, questions… The environment is different, of course, but these people were asking themselves exactly the same questions. I said to myself why not take on the challenge to also see where it takes me in the training part, to explain to the young people the high level, discipline, mental, physical, tennis… See if they have the brain and the ability to get there. It can go very quickly, and I’m proof of that, you shouldn’t be afraid to work. »

Unofficial godmother of Petis As

With Elena Ostapenko, who consults with her before each match, we are at the finish line. Very high level of accuracy. With Pallavi, it’s still a big job. “It is much easier to work with Elena,” she analyzes. All bases are fixed. But you can shape a young man, you feel what influence you can have on him. Everything must be done. If it works, satisfaction increases tenfold. »

On a site with largely outdated charm, where Nadal, Murray, Gasquet, Mauresmo, Henin, etc. have taken part, Bartoli, who arrived with her family, feels at home among future professionals. So much so that she insisted on helping with the organization. “When Marion Bartoli comes to you and says: How can I help? You have to find something for him,” laughs Jean-Claude Knebel, historical director of Les Petits As., on Tuesday evening.

“I liked spending time here,” she justifies. It was a turning point in my career. From Les Petits As my dad bought two ball cars in 1998, I went to two practices a day and knew I had to do a lot more. I played only in France and did not understand anything about Russians, Czechs, Americans, etc. At the same age, I had the same delay as Pallavi. And still…”