Alizé Cornet's 20-year tennis career came to an end on Tuesday under the roof of centre court with a straight sets defeat to Qinwen Zheng from China.
A month ago, the 34-year-old Frenchwoman told French broadcaster Canal Plus that the 2024 French Open would be her last tournament as a professional player.
2005 ⏩️ 2024
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) May 16, 2024
20 Roland Garros plus tard...
Merci @FFTennis de me permettre de choisir ma sortie grâce à cette wild card. Je ne pourrais pas rêver mieux 🙏
Et à cette gamine de 15 ans : tu t'en es pas trop mal sortie, petite 🥹
Rdv dans dix jours à la Porte d'Auteuil 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Zwmf1XoGaQ
Just before the start of the competition, she posted a message on social media with a picture of her as a 15-year-old.
"Thanks @FFTennis for allowing me to choose my exit thanks to this wild card. I couldn't dream of anything better," she said.
"And to this 15-year-old: you didn't do too badly, kid."
The thirtysomething version of Cornet started the farewell abysmally. Zheng raced into a 4-0 lead before Cornet clawed her way back. But after squandering several chances to win a third successive game, Cornet succumbed anew.
The 21-year-old claimed the opener 6-2 and after both players held serve at the start of the second set, Zheng raced away to take it 6-1.
"Congratulations on a wonderful career," said Zheng after her 83-minute victory. "We won't forget you. I hope you have a great life after tennis. Be happy."
As a 15-year-old Cornet was given an invitation by the French tennis federation to play in the main draw at the French Open in 2005. Ranked at 645 in the world, she beat Alina Jidkova from Russia who was nearly 600 places above her in the WTA lists before losing to third seed and fellow Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo.
Symmetry
Two decades on and in a nod to symmetry, the federation – with Mauresmo as French Open tournament director – invited Cornet back for her swansong.
"A 20-year career ... and a new chapter starts," Cornet told the spectators in centre court. "Its a bit frightening but I've had a good time and I'm proud of myself.
"I would have liked to have done more," she added. "I would have liked to have won today just to continue. It has taken a lot of effort and many sacrifices and there have been highs and lows.
"It has been a great adventure." Saluting the spectators, she added: "I'd like to thank the fans. I've always given my best to perform for you."
During her career, Cornet claimed six singles crowns as well as three doubles titles and reached a career high of 11 in June 2009. In playing at her 20th consecutive French Open, she extended her record of 69 successive Grand Slam tournaments.
Persistent rain prevented any action on the outside courts for the first five hours of the day. But under the newly operational roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen, fourth seed Elena Rybakina disposed of the unseeded Belgian Greet Minne 6-2, 6-3 to move into the second round.
