Tennis: Career highlight for proud father

Tennis dads are all too often in the spotlight. Some have been or are a blight on the women's game.

But Walter Bartoli could not have presented more of a contrast to those wayward fathers as he watched daughter Marion win the ASB Classic - the highlight of their 15-year tennis partnership.

Dr Bartoli allowed himself a smile and a small congratulatory shake of the fist as his 21-year-old daughter battled the odds to overcome favourite Vera Zvonareva to win her first title.

"For sure this was the best match she has played. There are few days of your life when you play tennis like that."

But, of the problems of father-daughter tennis relationships, he was a bit coy.

"It is very difficult to be father and coach," said Bartoli. "It must be the choice of the player first of all. I am only here because Marion asked me to come."

Just as he has been throughout her career.

Marion Bartoli first picked up a racket as a 6-year-old, and her father was thrown into a sport of which he knew nothing.

"When she started she had a one-hand forehand. She was playing very bad. The racket was too heavy," said Bartoli. "So, one day after I had seen Monica Seles play I said to Marion, we are to try a double-hand forehand.

"Very quickly she was happy with that. People said I was crazy but we just kept doing it that way. Marion trusted me.

"I was no good in those earlier years but I worked to be better. As a doctor, I was aware of the importance of the physical side of the game. I worked on that and talked to other coaches to learn more about the technical side. Marion still needs to work to improve her physical training. Maybe in two years she will be a better athlete."

How high then, can he see her climbing in the rankings?

"Maybe not top 10. She is not the natural athlete or as physically strong as the best players. Perhaps top 20."

Five years ago Dr Bartoli, 47, turned his back on things medical - he had been working with elderly patients - to become a fulltime father-coach.

It was that double-handed game - on both sides - that set his daughter apart from the rest at the ASB Tennis Centre.

In being able to wait until the last possible split-second, she had her opponents guessing. Then, so often, came the killer blow - and the points.

So, at what stage did dad think his daughter was about to deliver?

"When she was 2-0 in the second set I knew she would not lose. I am very happy."

Half a world away and at 3 o'clock in the morning mother and wife Sophie heard the news when Marion rang from courtside.

"She was sleeping - but I think not too much," he said. "She too was very happy. She does not travel too much with us as she gets very nervous."

And Marion Bartoli's take on this now winning partnership?

"He helped me since my first day at tennis," she said. "He did not put pressure on me.

"I think we won this tournament. I cannot believe it too."