Emotional Lisicki weeps after Wimbledon choke

LONDON: Sabine Lisicki broke down in floods of tears after crippling stagefright condemned her to a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Marion Bartoli in Saturday's Wimbledon final.

The German 23rd seed, who had beamed her way into a maiden Grand Slam final, struggled to keep her emotions in check as the match slipped away from her in the second set.

She then completely lost her composure as she addressed the Centre Court crowd after her 81-minute choke.

"I was just overwhelmed by the whole situation, but credit to Marion. She handled it perfectly, she's been on the tour for a long time and deserves this. I just hope I get another chance as well," said the 23-year-old Lisicki, who had knocked out five-time champion Serena Williams in the fourth round.

"I still love this tournament. I love the crowd, you helped me try and get over my nerves but Marion was just too good."

Lisicki, bidding to be the first German winner at Wimbledon since Steffi Graf in 1996, sobbed openly as she turned to her father and mother, Richard and Elisabeth, watching from the players' box.

"I want to thank my team, they have always been there for me....we have been through so much together, there have been so many ups and downs," she said.

"I wish I had won but I hope to get the chance one more time." (AFP)