The extremism had somewhat become his trademark. On and off the tennis courts. The proof, after sixteen years of career, six titles and an eleventh place in the world in 2009, Alizé Cornet has been revealed since the beginning of the year. The Niçoise won her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open in January, eliminated world number 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, entered the top 5 of the best French players in August with more than five hundred victories during his career.
She is about to hold record number of consecutive appearances at a major tournament: sixty-three. The appointment is made on the night of Tuesday August 30 to Wednesday August 31 – from 1 a.m. (Paris time) – in New York, on the field of Louis Armstrong Stadium facing the Briton Emma Raducanu, holder of the title.
A wave of success that strangely echoes the retirement desires mentioned by Alizé Cornet at the start of the year and the work on herself that began five years ago. ” At my age [32 ans], we think about hanging up, it’s no mystery to anyone. I still imagine stopping at Roland Garros next year, it would be a good way to say goodbye., she announces. She still wants to qualify. “I don’t want to make the mistake of putting myself on a deadline when I can just leave an open door, see how I feel, and eventually retire later when I’ve had enough. » The idea is taking its course, but Cornet especially wants to listen to himself without putting pressure on himself.
Surplus of goodwill
A need for serenity against the current of a career carried out at 100 per hour. “She always advanced with the knife between her teeth”, announces Camille Pin, consultant on Eurosport. The former tricolor player knows a lot about her compatriot, nine years her junior. When they met in Nice, where they both come from, Alizé was only 10 years old. “She was very precocious. We soon found ourselves on challengers when she was 13, 14 years old. We even played doubles together. I salute all that she has achieved”recalls Camille Pin.
Since then, Alizé has never left the field. All without any injury. Sign of an exemplary lifestyle. “Excesses, she does not know, she has always had a healthy lifestyle, announces Nicolas Beuque, his trainer since 2020. And then, she’s a sports enthusiast who can’t live without it, even on vacation. » Camille Pin abounds: “ Shis Grand Slam record is incredible given his style of play. It’s proof that nothing was left to chance in his career. »
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