TENNIS
Bartoli told to play Fed Cup or face Olympic axe
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli was warned on Wednesday that she risks missing out on selection for the 2008 Olympic team if she does not represent France in the Fed Cup.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
By AFP
Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli was warned on Wednesday that she risks missing out on selection for the 2008 Olympic team if she does not represent France in the Fed Cup.
France will play China in the Fed Cup first round in February.
Fed Cup captain Georges Goven has indicated that he will be calling on Bartoli for the Beijing tie but the French number one has indicated that she does not want to make the trip because it does not fit in to her calendar.
"If Marion Bartoli was selected by the captain and she refused this selection she would exclude herself from participating in the Olympic Games," explained national technical director Patrice Dominguez.
"The captain can judge that he needs Marion Bartoli if she is the best and now she is the number one, so why deprive ourselves of a player for a tricky trip such as that as challenging China in Beijing," added Dominguez.
Former French number one Amelie Mauresmo, who has dropped down to world number 18 after an injury-plagued year, has also indicated that she does not want to make the trip.
But Mauresmo remains eligible for the Beijing Games as she played Fed Cup last year.
Bartoli had her breakthrough in 2007 reaching a season-ending 10th ranking.
France will play China in the Fed Cup first round in February.
Fed Cup captain Georges Goven has indicated that he will be calling on Bartoli for the Beijing tie but the French number one has indicated that she does not want to make the trip because it does not fit in to her calendar.
"If Marion Bartoli was selected by the captain and she refused this selection she would exclude herself from participating in the Olympic Games," explained national technical director Patrice Dominguez.
"The captain can judge that he needs Marion Bartoli if she is the best and now she is the number one, so why deprive ourselves of a player for a tricky trip such as that as challenging China in Beijing," added Dominguez.
Former French number one Amelie Mauresmo, who has dropped down to world number 18 after an injury-plagued year, has also indicated that she does not want to make the trip.
But Mauresmo remains eligible for the Beijing Games as she played Fed Cup last year.
Bartoli had her breakthrough in 2007 reaching a season-ending 10th ranking.
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