Marion Bartoli, the Wimbledon champion, on Saturday night said she would not let comments about her appearance from a senior BBC presenter spoil the greatest day of her life.
The BBC was forced to apologise on Saturday after John Inverdale suggested the French player was "never going to be a looker".
Inverdale made the disparaging remark on BBC Radio 5 Live, shortly after French player Marion Bartoli defeated Germany's Sabine Lisicki on Centre Court.
Bartoli, 28, sank to her knees after she clinched the title and then made a beeline for the player's box where she embraced her father and former coach, Walter.
Inverdale reportedly told listeners: "Do you think Bartoli's dad told her when she was little, 'You're never going to be a looker, you'll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight'?
The BBC later apologised for the comments, with a spokesman saying: "We accept that this remark was insensitive and for that we apologise."
"It doesn't matter, honestly. I am not blonde, yes. That is a fact," Bartoli said in a briefing. "Have I dreamt about having a model contract? No. I'm sorry.
"But have I dreamed about winning Wimbledon? Absolutely, yes.
"And to share this moment with my dad was absolutely amazing and I am so proud of it.
"I am sure I will be able to watch the DVD of the match over and over again and look at the picture of me when I am holding it [the trophy] in my arms. That is the most important thing to me and not what I can do outside of the court."
Earlier Inverdale told his listeners that he poked fun at the player's looks "in a nice way".
"She is an incredible role model for people who aren't born with all the attributes of natural athletes," he added.
Follow us
