Bartoli: Inverdale’s 'disgusting' Wimbledon remark haunted me

Marion Bartoli has branded John Inverdale’s comments about her appearance at Wimbledon as "absolutely disgusting," revealing how the remark fuelled a constant pressure that contributed to her battle with anorexia. Speaking to The Times, the former champion said she still cannot understand how the BBC commentator made such a remark at the moment of her greatest triumph ^[1].

According to the Daily Mail ^[1], Inverdale suggested during live radio commentary that Bartoli’s father had told her she would never be a "looker" like Maria Sharapova. Bartoli, now 42, described the comments as cruel, noting that a male player would never have been treated that way. The Independent reported ^[2] that the BBC later apologised and admitted the remarks were insensitive.

Bartoli retired just 40 days after winning the 2013 title, citing the physical toll of injuries. The years that followed were dark; she lost 30kg and was hospitalised for months, requiring a stomach-feeding tube, as she battled life-threatening anorexia. She told the Daily Mail ^[1] that she had been in denial until Philip Brook, then chairman of the All England Club, barred her from a Legends event due to her health. "That’s when I really hit the lowest of the low," she said, crediting Brook with forcing her to seek help.

Inverdale, now 69, later apologised by letter, claiming his comments were a "ham-fisted" attempt to praise Bartoli’s determination. He was removed from the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage in 2015 and succeeded by Clare Balding. He no longer works in mainstream broadcasting, according to the Daily Mail ^[1].

Today, Bartoli coaches Britain’s Harriet Dart and is married to Belgian footballer Yahya Boumediene. The Independent noted ^[2] that Bartoli made a brief return to tennis in 2018 before injury forced her to stop again. Despite the pain of her past, Bartoli remains focused on recovery and her new role, having finally found peace after years of scrutiny.