Bartoli returns to Wimbledon for Club Championships

The All England Club welcomed an honoured guest to its annual Club Championships, as Marion Bartoli became the first defending singles champion to compete in the private club tournament in the AELTC's storied history. 

The 28-year-old, who has been trying her hand at commentary and other new exploits since announcing her retirement from the game in August, played alongside former British Fed Cup captain Colin Beecher in the members' only round robin doubles event. Other participants included Anne Keothavong, Ross Hutchins, James Auckland, Chief Executive Richard Lewis and Chairman Philip Brook. 

Bartoli, dressed head to toe in white for the first time since she defeated Sabine Lisicki on Centre Court in July, was all smiles as she competed on the Aorangi courts, before returning to the AELTC for the evening's festivities. 

Sporting the same dress and heels she had worn to The Champions' Dinner, Bartoli entertained her fellow guests with a rendition of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, and was said to be in excellent spirits.