Roland-Garros 2024: defeat in the first round, Alizé Cornet says goodbye to tennis

At 34, the Niçoise played the last match of her career this Tuesday at Philippe Chatrier, against world number 8 Qinwen Zheng (6-2, 6-1).

Pensive in the aisles of Chatrier on Monday, watching her idol Nadal parade one last time at Roland, was Alizé Cornet already planning on what awaited her the next day? Like Nadal, and as long as the Spaniard does not come back for a very last vintage, the Niçoise was preparing to experience last illusions on the Parisian clay.

In the spring, the one who was world number 11 at her tennis zenith said that she would put away balls and rackets for the 2024 vintage of Roland-Garros. “I feel that I have a little less to give in terms of desire and for me it is the right time to say goodbye to tennis”, simply explained the Frenchwoman, falling to 107th place in the world. This Tuesday, May 28, Alizé Cornet closed the Porte d'Auteuil for good and with a break in pro tennis lasting twenty years. Bored physically, paralyzed by the emotion of the end looming, the Frenchwoman fizzled out in the first round against the Chinese world number 8, Qinwen Zheng (6-2, 6-1).

The same one against which the Niçoise had to give up in 2022 under the difficult to understand bronca of the Parisian public. In truth, a long story of disenchantment. “The public at Roland-Garros is not easy. I had great moments of solitude on the courts and great moments of joy. It's a bit of a relationship… I don't have any words that come to mind. It’s a public that is always ready to jump at an opportunity to show its discontent, to express itself, to sometimes be a little in the… I’m lost for words!”she stammered at a pre-tournament press conference.

Constancy

This Tuesday, everything seemed forgotten about Philippe-Chatrier, certainly sparse, but fully committed to his cause. And what could be more symbolic than a twentieth Roland for farewell? Where it all began. When the public discovered her in 2005 facing her idol Amélie Mauresmo on the Lenglen at just 15 years old. The poster had the air of a handing over of the baton between a declining Mauresmo, and this cheeky young woman who seemed little destabilized by the solemnity of the great moments.

The sequel will not really confirm the hopes of the time. But somewhere, the trajectory of Alizé Cornet tells a little of what French women's tennis has been over the last two decades. Often well placed, rarely titled. Six singles crowns anyway, three in doubles, a Fed Cup in 2019, and a quarter-final at the Australian Open in 2022, his best run in a Major. “I had immense joys, but in return there were big disappointments, moments of depression and I think it was ultimately a roller coaster for 20 years…”whispered the player, known as much for her tenacity on the court as for her memorable outbursts of anger, particularly towards her coaches.

Alizé Cornet is also the praise of regularity, as evidenced by this 72nd participation in a Grand Slam tournament, her 69th in a row. An absolute record on the women's circuit which says a lot about the work and cultivated life ethic of the Frenchwoman. Diligence in the performance, which left little room for brilliance. There were a few, when she got the better of Serena Williams in the 3rd round of Wimbledon 2014. In the same place but in 2022, it was she who abruptly ended the incredible 37-match unbeaten streak of the current number 1 on the circuit, Iga Swiatek. Two generations of players, for as many eras as the Frenchwoman has crossed as she has been able. And, by his own admission, without regrets.