“I did so much in my career, and I achieved so much, there wasn’t necessarily a need to come back,” explained Cornet who, in addition to her record-breaking Grand Slam consistency, won six WTA titles, shocked Serena Williams at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, and reached the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinals.
She had also never had a break, the very nature of her Grand Slam record implying that the 35-year-old was never away from tennis for more than a few weeks at a time.
“I was just so tired,” said Cornet, who uses her instincts as a storyteller to emphasize her imagery. “I was exhausted by the travel and playing. The stress of everything became too much for me. I really thought that it was the end, and that I was ready for my next chapter. And I was! I really enjoyed it for nine months.”
But by the time the 2024 off-season rolled around, Cornet was missing the emotions only a tennis court could provide.
