PARIS — French tennis standout Alizé Cornet is set to return to the professional tennis scene, less than a year after stepping away from the sport. Cornet announced her comeback through a statement released by the organizers of the Rouen tournament, highlighting her participation in the indoor clay event scheduled for next month.
Despite retiring last year after a disappointing 6-2, 6-1 defeat to the seventh-seeded Zheng Qinwen in the initial round of the French Open, Cornet has reignited her passion for the game. She revealed that she has been back in training for the past two months and is eager to compete again. “You thought you’d got rid of me, but it’s not quite the case yet,” she cheekily remarked.
The 35-year-old has secured a wild card entry into the main draw at the Rouen WTA 250 tournament, which is set to take place from April 14-20. This opportunity allows Cornet to reintroduce herself to fans and competitors on the court she once dominated.
Cornet achieved a career-high ranking of No. 11 back in 2009 and is known for her remarkable consistency, having set the record for most consecutive Grand Slam appearances by a woman with 69, a streak that spanned from the 2007 Australian Open to the 2024 French Open.
Among the highlights of Cornet’s career are her memorable victory against then-No. 1 Serena Williams in the Wimbledon third round in 2014 and reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in 2022. Her return is eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike, as she seeks to add new achievements to her already impressive resume.