Anna 
In a surprising turn of events, French tennis player Alizé Cornet has returned to the court just months after announcing her retirement in May 2024. After what seemed like a farewell at Roland Garros, she has now confirmed her participation in the WTA La Bisbal and other tournaments.
In an interview with Tennis.com, Cornet opened up about her decision to step away from the sport—and why she ultimately chose to return.
“I didn’t want that to be a real ending,” she admitted. “Maybe I was afraid that if I stopped completely, I wouldn’t be able to come back. I had done so much in my career and achieved so many things that I had no real need to return. I was exhausted from traveling and competing, and the stress became overwhelming. I truly thought I was ready for the next chapter—and for a while, I was. I enjoyed those nine months a lot.”
A Change of Heart
Despite feeling ready to retire, Cornet soon realized how much she missed the game.
“I wanted to be on the court every day,” she said. “I kept asking my boyfriend to play with me, but eventually, he told me I needed to find other hitting partners because he couldn’t play every day.”
The real test was whether her body could still handle the demands of professional tennis.
“I started training again in February, and after three weeks, I felt great. I was going to practice with a smile on my face every day,” she explained. “That’s when I thought, ‘Maybe coming back isn’t such a bad idea.’”
At first, Cornet hesitated, fearing how people would react to her return.
“I was a little afraid of being judged,” she admitted. “I didn’t know how fans would see me back on the court. But in the end, everyone is just as excited as I am. That makes me really happy.”
With her unexpected return, Cornet is ready to embrace this new chapter and see where it leads.
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