From late nights as a schoolkid to Grand Slam champion: France's Marion Bartoli wins Wimbledon

LONDON – Marion Bartoli says her unusual way of playing tennis and her hard work as a school kid helped her win Wimbledon.

Doing homework during long drives to junior tournaments and staying up late to practice with her father "made me the person I am right now on the court," she says.

Bartoli hits forehands and backhands with two hands on her racket, something she started when she was 7.

She says: "I never felt like I wanted to be like all the other (kids) and do exactly the same everyone was doing."

Thanks to her 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sabine Lisicki in the Wimbledon final, Bartoli gets to attend the All England Club champions' dinner on Sunday night.

Bartoli will rise from No. 15 to No. 7 in the WTA rankings Monday.