A look back at the most inspiring tennis victories of recent times on the WTA Tour

Modified Feb 04, 2017 10:27 GMT

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Flavia Pennetta (R) of Italy and Roberta Vinci (L) of Italy pose with their trophies after their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Pennetta defeated Vinci 7-6, 6-2. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — Flavia Pennetta (R) and Roberta Vinci (L) pose with their trophies at the 2015 US Open

#5 Marion Bartoli: Wimbledon Championship Match 2013

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Marion Bartoli of France poses with the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy after her victory in the Ladies' Singles final match against Sabine Lisicki of Germany on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Marion Bartoli poses with the Venus Rosewater Dish at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships

Marion Bartoli was a familiar face on the WTA Tour, having played in a remarkable 47 Grand Slam tournaments since her Grand Slam debut in 2001. Bartoli, a former finalist at SW-19, was best known for her unorthodox playing style which involved the two-handed forehand (a rarity in tennis), and an unusual service motion. She entered the 2013 Wimbledon Championships as the 15^th seed, and quietly marched through the draw, if not tearing through it.

She did not face a single player ranked inside the top-10 en-route to her second Wimbledon final, and had a chance to win the title without having to do so. In the title clash, she faced Wimbledon’s darling, Sabine Lisicki , the other surprise finalist. Nicknamed “Boom Boom” on the tour, Lisicki had brought havoc in the draw having beaten tournament favourites Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska, and was one win away from her own fairytale ending.

However, Bartoli had different plans as the veteran won in a see-saw encounter, where emotions ran high for both players. Overwhelmed by her first (and last) major title, Bartoli announced her retirement from the sport soon thereafter, and bid her farewell at the opening of the same event next year.

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Edited by Staff Editor