Bartoli lauds Deschamps’ resilience ahead of France’s World Cup semi-final
Marion Bartoli speaks to BBC Sport about Didier Deschamps’ motivation and friendship as France prepare to face Spain.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has publicly endorsed France manager Didier Deschamps ahead of the team’s World Cup semi-final clash with Spain, describing him as a “true friend” who remains highly motivated despite recent personal tragedies. Speaking to BBC Sport, Bartoli highlighted the 13-year friendship she shares with the national team coach, noting his resilience in the face of intense scrutiny and the recent death of his mother.
Deschamps, 57, temporarily left the national team camp in the United States to attend the funeral of his mother, Ginette, who passed away aged 86 on 23 June. His absence meant he missed France’s 4-1 victory over Norway, but he returned to the squad in time for their 3-0 win against Sweden. Bartoli revealed that the manager maintained contact during this period, replying to her messages within an hour to express gratitude and share the team’s positive atmosphere.
The French manager has been seen engaging in social activities away from the pitch, particularly in the sport of padel. Bartoli noted that Deschamps often plays with former France teammate Zinedine Zidane and Spanish World Cup winner Andres Iniesta, both in the south of France and in Dubai, where Bartoli resides. While she teases him about his shift from tennis to padel, she emphasised that his competitive nature remains undimmed.
Bartoli argued that Deschamps receives insufficient praise for his achievements, citing the high expectations inherent in French sport. “In France we have 67 million coaches trying to get the French team to win,” she said, suggesting that the pressure on the manager is often underestimated. She pointed to his success in leading France to World Cup victories as both a player in 1998 and a manager in 2018, as well as reaching the finals in 2016 and 2022.
With the semi-final scheduled for Tuesday at 20:00 BST, Bartoli expressed hope that Deschamps can secure victory against Spain, a team France lost to in the European Championship final. She described his desire for “revenge” against their opponents and suggested that winning the tournament would provide the perfect conclusion to his tenure, potentially followed by a year away from the game before he embarks on his next professional adventure.
