Cornet discusses her return to competition: "I feel like a teenager playing her first WTA tournament"

Alizé Cornet has come out of retirement. After ending her career last year following Roland-Garros, the 35-year-old from Nice made her competitive return after a ten-month absence at the La Bisbal d’Empordà tournament in Catalonia.

In her opening match, the Frenchwoman easily defeated Irene Burillo Escorihuela (6-1, 6-2) and will play her second-round match this Thursday against Susan Bandecchi. Speaking to Tennis Channel, Cornet reflected on the reasons that motivated her to return to the tour.

"I was simply exhausted from traveling and the demands of playing at the highest level. All the accumulated stress had become too much for me to handle. I really thought it was the end, and I was ready for my new chapter.

And for nine months, I truly enjoyed myself. But on the other hand, I wanted to be on the court every day. I asked my partner if he wanted to play with me, but at some point, he told me to find other hitting partners because he couldn’t play every day.

When I picked up tennis again, my body was the biggest unknown for me. But after three weeks, I realized the stars were aligned—I was going to practice with a smile every day, and I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I could return to the tour.’

I wondered what it would be like to come back with a new mindset, a fresh perspective, and a desire to play. It was almost like a child’s mentality, but at the same time, something very joyful. That’s the feeling I missed at the end of my career.

Everyone wishes they could feel lighter on the court, and I think I needed this break to realize that. I feel like a teenager playing her first WTA tournament—it’s really cool," explained the former world No. 11.