Goal Achievement In French – Allez Marion!

"Marion Bartoli", "goal achievement", "Gordon Bryan"I’ve written about French tennis player Marion Bartoli before, so why would I choose to write about her in another article? Well, I have good reason…

July 2013, and Bartoli has won Wimbledon. The ultimate tournament for tennis players, and something that most people in tennis would assume to be out of reach for a player like Bartoli.

When I say ‘a player like Bartoli’ it deserves an explanation. In my previous article, I wrote about her eccentricities, that she played own way, taught by her father. She learnt on a court which was so small she was forced to develop a short backswing, which in turn led her to develop a low, flat, punchy shot on both sides.

Then there’s her serve…

A most peculiar action, which she would change almost every year. It’s still a problem for her, with too many double faults in her game. Not a Wimbledon champion in the making there then – except she’s just won Wimbledon!

Also, when I say most people in tennis assumed Wimbledon would be out of her reach as an achievable goal, there always was one person who believed it – she did!

It would be fair to say she got some breaks in the way the tournament played out around her. On the way to the final, she didn’t have to play anyone ranked in the top 10. In the semi final, her opponent imploded at the occasion, and in the final her opponent imploded at the occasion!

Does that take away from Marion’s achievement? No, no it doesn’t.

Her name is on the trophy. Her name goes onto the list of winners.

She didn’t just turn up on the day and win. She’s been playing since she was a little girl, training before and after school, with her father giving up his job to support and coach her.

She’s overcome not the most athletic physique, and as come back from being blown away herself in the 2007 final.

In fact, after her win, she said that when she walked on court with Sabine Lisicki, she could she fear and nerves in Lisicki’s eyes, which she recognised from herself in ‘07. She said she knew then she would win.

Lisicki’s game fell apart under the nerves, and while she was fighting not to break into tears, Marion steamrolled on towards the title.

What’s not to like about this story? Ok, you may not like sport, but my point is less about sport, and more about the person – hard work over years and years (and years!), doing it your own way against established models, coming back from adversity, dogged determonation, and riding opportunity when it came to reach the highest peak.

Now *that’s* what I call a goal achievement model to enjoy! Your goal may or may not be to win Wimbledon, but whatever it is (do let me know what it is, by the way!), take a look at Marion’s story, take a look at her smile as she holds the trophy, and ask if you can approach your goal achievement in French…Allez Marion!

Ok, do let me know what you think!
‘Til Next Time,
Health & happiness,
Gordon
P.S. Here’s that other article I wrote about her – I May Be In Love With Marion Bartoli!

Do leave a comment!

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14 Comments

  • What an inspiring story. There is no such thing as an overnight success and this story is another example of that. Self Belief is so critical! My dream is to be a lead on a Broadway musical and this isn’t a requirement, receive a Tony nomination as well. That is my dream. 🙂 Every setback is a challenge for me to push through and I pray that I have the will to keep going no matter what.

    • Hi Tamala,
      You’ve hit the nail on the head about overnight success, and I feel so happy for Marion, as her story can inspire all those people who don’t fit the ‘normal’ models! I love your dream, it’s one that would make me very happy myself – good luck – onwards and upwards!
      Cheers,
      Gordon

  • I love how you’ve made Bartoli’s winning of Wimbledon into a metaphor for life. I love watching Wimbledon too.
    My goal is to get my book published and to stop feeling that all the wasted years are a set back but to see them instead as a time I used wisely, a time for garnering information and deepening wisdom.

    • Thanks Kalpana,
      Getting your book published is a great goal – if I’ve done it, you can too! Use Marion’s win as a prompt for more progress!
      Cheers,
      Gordon

  • Wow, what a great story! I don’t follow sports very closely, but I’m definitely going to have to watch this young lady’s career! Thanks for this, Gordo!

    • Thanks Amy,
      it will be interesting to see – it’s more than likely in the normal way of things she will never win another Major, as she got the breaks from others this time, but Marion doesn’t do ‘normal’ and look where it’s got her!
      Cheers,
      Gordon

  • These seasoned athletes work long and hard for their goals. I just watched the final with Andy Murray winning the trophy at Wimbledon. He’s another case in point. He tried, tried, and tried again. We should never give up on our dream.

    • Spot on Francene!
      I feel I’ll just *have* to write an article about Murray, focusing on the changes he made to get to his goal.
      Cheers,
      Gordon

  • Great article – and I totally agree. I’m a big tennis fan and I’ve always admired the way she does things differently. As you say, we can learn a lot from this and apply it in our own lives.

    What about Andy Murray?

    We can learn so much from him. As a Brit I was very proud and excited to see him lift the trophy and have always admired his total determination to achieve his goals.

    • Thanks Daniel,
      Yes, there will no doubt be an article about Murray – will probably wait til the hype goes down. What I like about him the most is the changes he made that he spotted were needed, and then implemented.
      Cheers,
      Gordon

  • It made such a change to watch a Wimbledon women’s final without Serina Williams in it. I really enjoyed watching this one. It was not a foregone conclusion.

    I felt sorry for Bertoli as everyone seemed to be behind Lisicki, but her determination and apparent cool paid off in the end.

    Both Bartoli and Murray have demonstrated what hard work, determination and belief can do.

    Sandy

    • Hi Sandy,
      I do admire what the Williams sisters ahve done – you have to – but I agree it’s a lovely change to not see Serena, I have doubts over her sportsmansship.
      Lisicki is more audience friendly than Bartoli, particular when the tears started, but bravo to Marion, and the Wimbledon crowd is one to recognise what she’s done – I loved it!
      Cheers, Gordon

    • Thanks Dan,
      Yes, these stories are easy to find all over sports, but I tend to be drawn to the unusual characters, and Marion is certainly one of those!
      Cheers,
      Gordon