Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli announces surprise return to tennis and sets sights on grand slams

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Marion Bartoli has announced a surprise return to tennis and set her sights on comeback glory at the French Open and Wimbledon.

The 33-year-old, who won her only grand slam title in 2013 at Wimbledon, retired from the sport soon after that success, citing unbearable pain following a series of injury problems and admitting her body could no longer cope.

But she was spotted training at the French Tennis Federation during the autumn, sparking rumours of a potential return, and the French player confirmed that she is back.

“I’m coming back this year on the professional tour,” Bartoli announced in a video on Eurosport. “It’s going to be huge challenge, I have still a lot of practice ahead of me, but I’m hoping to ready for March and the Miami Open. I’m really looking forward to be on the court again... especially in Paris in Roland Garros, in my home country but also for the Fed Cup ... and Wimbledon. I’m so looking for it.”

In revealing her decision to retire four years ago, Bartoli said: “You never kind of know before it’s going to be your last match, but I felt that way after the match. I felt I just couldn’t do this any more. After one set, my whole body was in pain.

“Everyone will remember my Wimbledon title. No one will remember the last match I played here. There are so many things to do in life rather than playing tennis, so I’m sure I will find something.”

Bartoli said she had suffered a succession of injuries, particularly an Achilles problem that had troubled her on the hard courts.