Stalkerazzi

It was love at first sight. 2006. US Open, this was before she had reached the finals of Wimbledon for the first time. Marion Bartoli vs Patty Schnyder, 3rd round. What was this miracle before my eyes? I got to see her again playing doubles with Shahar Peer. 2 hands on both sides, mass of dark hair and a French flair that captivated me. I may be a bit crazy, but one gift I have is that I can tell when someone has "it" je ne sais quoi. Marion had it in spades. Reminiscent of Monica but very much her own unique person.

I admit it, I turned into a bit of a stalker. Following her results obsessively. Gathering any info I could(her cats name is Callinette) When she came to Miami, I would watch her practices and even worked up the courage to ask for a picture(she said she had something to do).

This may be the closest I ever get to  Marion.

I have loved watching Marion evolve and grow. She may never be the greatest of all time but in my mind she is the most entertaining. From having an off the charts IQ to some of the craziest practice sessions, to being ridiculed and jeered, I can just watch her for hours. She is also really charming.

She's steadily improved year by year. She loves the game, is full of passion and humor. Intelligence combined with determination and consistent hard work has produced one of the most unique Champions of this era.

Marion makes me very happy and I have sympathetic joy for her success. I loved her before she had great results. I am a fan in victory and defeat.

 

So what does this have to do with being a nomad? Growing up obsessing about the professional tennis world, I dreamed of traveling the world all year long, it seemed like such a strange and wonderful life. It wasn't my destiny to become a pro and its not an easy job traveling with the tour all year, you actually have to work.

 

Now I feel I can let go of my obsession and fantasy and just be a fan. I don't need to be a stalker, obsessed and just let things be what they are. Marion can shine on. It's also so great to see Marion have a team around her, to be able to let people in on her success. Marion has always been a bit of an outsider, exiled from the French federation and it seems like now she has such a great balance and happy medium. Bravo Mademoiselle. I always knew you could do it.