In an unexpected twist, Alize Cornet is set to make a thrilling return to tennis just shy of a year after stepping away from the sport. The seasoned French player announced her comeback through a statement provided by the organizers of the Rouen tournament, sharing the exciting news that she will compete in the upcoming indoor clay-court event.
With a playful spirit, Cornet quipped, “You thought you’d gotten rid of me, but I’m not done just yet!” She also revealed she has been back in training for the past two months, preparing for her reentry into competitive play.
As many will recall, Cornet hung up her racket following a challenging 6-2, 6-1 defeat to the seventh seed, Qinwen Zheng, during the initial round of the French Open last year. However, it seems the allure of the game was too strong to resist. Now, at 35 years old, Cornet has been granted a wild card entry into the main draw at Rouen. The WTA 250 event is set to take place from April 14-20.
Cornet once soared to a career-high of world No. 11 back in 2009. She’s also known for her remarkable streak of participating in 69 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, a run that stretched from the 2007 Australian Open to last year’s French Open. Among her career highlights are a famous victory over Serena Williams in the third round at Wimbledon in 2014 and a notable quarterfinal finish at the 2022 Australian Open.
Cornet’s unexpected return is sure to add a touch of excitement and nostalgia for her fans and the tennis community alike.
