'Maria' Bartoli in tears

London - Tearful Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli returned to Centre Court on Tuesday only to hear herself introduced as 'Maria' by a blundering announcer.

The Frenchwoman performed the coin toss ahead of the first round match between Sabine Lisicki, the German she defeated in the final last year, and Israel's Julia Glushko.

She broke down in tears as she stood on the court where she won her only Grand Slam title.

Once she had finished her ceremonial duties, Bartoli headed for a front-row seat in the Royal Box.

Bartoli retired in the immediate aftermath of her Wimbledon win and as a result it was Lisicki who was given the honour of opening the action on Tuesday.

"To relive and walk again on the #wimbledon turf, it's a lot of emotions," the Frenchwoman tweeted.