"To bring a breath of solidarity and mutual support into the team," Cornet reveals her goals as captain of the French BJK Cup team
Alizé Cornet gave her first interview after being appointed manager of the French women's teams and captain of the French BJK Cup team at the beginning of November.
Cornet will now work for the French Tennis Federation. The 35-year-old from Nice, who definitively ended her playing career last September, was indeed appointed manager of the French women's teams and captain of the French BJK Cup team, replacing Julien Benneteau.
Just a few days after officially taking up her duties, the former world No. 11 gave an interview to the FFT media in which she discusses her goals for the coming months.
"Just hearing the name of my new status gives me chills. It was a dream for me to be BJK Cup captain. I've been thinking about it since I was 25. I knew that one day in my life, I would be captain.
For me, it was obvious that one day I would be able to pass on my values, my experience to a team of girls who need it. When you are a group of players on the tour, when you are young, you sometimes lack experience in a team and you need a big sister figure.
I could see myself well in that role. I am super happy and proud that the Federation has shown me this trust. The goals I have set for myself are to implement my philosophy in the group, which will be very much based on the human aspect, on listening, on kindness.
I had five captains during my career, and I was able to draw inspiration from all the good things these captains did. I've cooked up my own little recipe of what I would like to instill in the team. It's above all human values. Sporting objectives will follow from that.
Initially, what I want is to bring a breath of solidarity, kindness, and mutual support into the team. I believe that on these foundations, we can build something very beautiful.
There is a lot of work. It's true that in addition to my role as BJK Cup captain, there is all the work on managing the French women's teams. There is a major action plan on the women's side that is being set up at the Federation.
I think I'm arriving at the right time to try and help this development of women's tennis and this plan for promoting women's tennis. What I intend to do is really bring all these values that I have defended all these years, my experience, and my expertise. I will also learn on the job.
I am catapulted into this environment. I have my convictions and my beliefs, but it will be a team effort. I can't wait to work alongside Didier (Retière, National Technical Director), Gilles (Moretton, President of the FFT) and Ivan (Ljubicic, Director of High Performance at the FFT) so that we can dream big for women's tennis," assured Cornet.
