Alize Cornet is retiring in May after two terrible seasons

• The 34-year-old said that her time in professional tennis is over
• She is looking at writing another chapter in her life without being on tour
• She hasn’t had a lot of success on the court for the last two years

French tennis player Alize Cornet is retiring.

The 34-year-old said that her time in professional tennis is over and she is looking at writing another chapter in her life without being on tour.

She hasn’t had a lot of success on the court for the last two years, moving from world No. 11 to world No. 107.

Where Did Alize Cornet Announce Retirement?

The Frenchwoman announced on Saturday in France on Canal + that she is exiting competitive tennis. She said that it was a tough decision to make and she is at a point where she feels she doesn’t want to be pushed any more.

Thus, the French Open 2024 in May will be her last tournament.

“I have a very special announcement to make to you. I will play my last Roland Garros in a month and I will retire immediately. It’s the right time because it’s the result of a long journey… I just feel like it’s time. I don’t want to be pushed out, I want to choose. And it’s the right time for me to say goodbye to tennis,” she announced.

Alize Cornet of France is retiring. Photo/Medium

Rafael Nadal Speaks On Alize Cornet’s Retirement

Rafael Nadal celebrated Cornet in style wishing her the best in her life after retirement.

“I just want to wish you the very best for whatever you decide to do in the future. You’re going to be – for sure – doing very well, but it’s your day, enjoy and all the best for the future, congratulations,” he posted on his socials.

Nadal and Cornet are among the most celebrated tennis players at Roland Garros. The Spaniard has 14 victories at the major French tournament.

Cornet, on the other hand, has represented her country with a lot of zeal for the last 20 years. The more the reason she chose to play her last match here as a final honour.

Alize Cornet Tennis Career

Cornet is popular within tennis circles for her powerful one-handed backhand which has dominated the WTA for two decades.

When Cornet picked up a racquet for the first time at the young age of four, her adventure kicked off promising her the best tennis experience which she surely got.

Early on, her talent and commitment were obvious, which helped her have a great junior career. She swiftly rose through the WTA rankings after turning professional at the age of 15, hitting a career-high of No. 11 in 2009.

Cornet has made a name for herself as a fierce rival throughout her career. Even the greatest players on the circuit have been bothered by her aggressive baseline style, which includes her trademark single-handed backhand.

French tennis player Alize Cornet. Photo/Sky Sports

She is notable for having defeated Serena Williams three times which was no mean feat because Serena was at the time at the peak of her career.

For a player of her calibre, Cornet hasn’t won major titles as frequently as one might anticipate, although she has had success on the WTA circuit.

Her strong baseline game flourishes on clay courts, where she has won six solo titles. Her most recent triumph occurred at the Gstaad competition in 2018.  Cornet has enjoyed success in singles as well as doubles, winning three titles with different partners.

Her experience on the WTA Tour hasn’t been without difficulties, either. It has been difficult to be consistent, especially in the later stages of Grand Slam competitions.

Although Cornet hasn’t advanced further in any major, she once made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals. Her busy schedule and injuries haven’t helped either, so she’s had to deal with times of instability.

Cornet is still incredibly passionate about the sport in spite of these obstacles.  She is a strong supporter of mental health awareness in tennis, an area that is sometimes disregarded in the competitive, high-stress world of professional sports.

She also brings a playful and unpredictable element to the court with her expressiveness and her lively attitude.

At 34, Cornet is ready for the other life outside tennis courts. It was just a matter of time after a strenuous last two years.