Bartoli Ends Coaching Relationship with Father

French No. 1 Marion Bartoli announced she has ended her long-time coaching relationship with her father.

By Erik Gudris

(February 11th, 2013) -- Marion Bartoli is striking out on her own when it comes to who will coach her on a tennis court.

The French No. 1 in an interview with AFP said that her father, Dr. Walter Bartoli, will no longer be her full-time coach starting this week when she competes at the Qatar Total Open in Doha.

“Much has been discussed together, there is no rupture or clash, it is just the culmination of a long reflection," said Bartoli. "It happened little by little, my father always wanted the best for me and he told me that it might be better if I try something else to get what I want: a Grand Slam title.”

Bartoli has decided to become fully integrated in the French Tennis Federation (FFT), a move that allowed her to be part of the French Fed Cup team that competed against Germany this past weekend.

French Fed Cup captain Amelie Mauresmo spoke at length to Bartoli earlier in the year about being part of the team, so long as Bartoli's father did not travel with them. Bartoli ultimately decided to do so after being unable to compete for France for many years including at last year's Summer Games in London.

For now Bartoli will travel with FFT physios and coaches though there is a possibility that Mauresmo herself may also consult Bartoli, though Bartoli was quick to point out that such an arrangement was not yet formalized.

"For me the ideal would be to be with someone to help me win a Grand Slam and I think Amelia can do," said Bartoli. "But this is what we must ask the question, I can not answer for her. "

Bartoli, now age 28, is currently ranked No. 11 in the world. Her best result at a Major was reaching the Wimbledon finals in 2007.

(Photo Credit: Natasha Peterson/Corleve)