By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday April 28, 2024
It’s the end of the line for tennis’ official ironwoman. Alizé Cornet has announced her plans to retire at Roland-Garros this year, where the Frenchwoman will make her 69th consecutive main draw appearance.
“I will play my last Roland-Garros in a month and I will retire immediately,” she said. “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.”
The 34-year-old Frenchwoman confirmed news of her retirement in an interview that aired on Saturday on French television channel Canal+. She is a former World No.11 that has earned her share of big wins on the WTA Tour, including 25 vs Top 10 players, and three against Serena Williams when the American held the tour’s No.1 ranking.
Cornet also snapped Iga Swiatek’s 37-match winning streak in 2022 at Wimbledon, also while the Pole was No.1.
Cornet made her Grand Slam debut in 2005 as a 15-year-old at Roland Garros, and started her streak of consecutive majors played in 2007. She would eventually pass AI Sugiyama (62) to break the record for most consecutive Grand Slam main draws played by a woman.
She did that at the 2022 US Open, playing her 63rd straight major, where she upset defending champion Emma Raducanu in the opening round.
“It’s amazing for me to celebrate this record by winning in Armstrong, in the night session against the defending champ," Cornet said after her triumph. "I mean, it's like the stars are aligned, you know? It's such a special moment for me."
Cornet has written three books in recent years. The six-time WTA titlist is set to release her third book, Ce qui manque à l'amour, on May 2.