Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli in shock retirement

Marion Bartoli made a shock retirement announcement Wednesday, ending her career just weeks after winning Wimbledon.

Bartoli, citing a string of injuries, dropped the bombshell shortly after losing in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters to Romania’s Simona Halep.

The top French star suffered a stunning 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Halep.

“It’s time for me to retire and to call it a career. I feel it’s time for me to walk away actually,” said the 28-year-old.

The announcement comes two weeks before Bartoli was scheduled to compete in the US Open in New York.

Seeded eighth at the Cincinnati event, Bartoli said Wimbledon helped her reach the top of her game but also took a toll on her physical and mental wellbeing.

“I’ve been a tennis player for a long time, and I had the chance to make my biggest dream a reality,” said Bartoli, who won over $11 million in prize money during her 13-year career.

“I felt I really, really pushed through the ultimate limits to make it happen. But now I just can’t do it anymore,” she said.

“I’ve been through a lot of injuries since the beginning of the year. I really pushed through and left it all during that Wimbledon,” she added.

“I really felt I gave all the energy I have left inside my body. It (Wimbledon) will stay forever with me, but now my body just can’t cope with everything.”

- AFP