Alize Cornet says the reception she got from some members of the crowd during her third round match at the French Open was unfair and she is unsure if she will return to the tournament in 12 months time.
The world No.40 struggled with an abductor injury throughout her match with China’s Zheng Qinwen which she was forced to retire from whilst trailing 0-6, 0-3. Cornet later revealed that she sustained an abductor tear during her second round meeting with Jelena Ostapenko two days ago and contemplated pulling out of Saturday’s match.
“I couldn’t move around on the court and I knew it before I came on to the court, but I decided to try because that’s how I am,” she said during her press conference.
“I always try my luck right to the end, but maybe I shouldn’t have played and not taken the risk of making things worse.”
It was clear how disappointed the 32-year-old was with some of those who were watching from the stands. Saying the crowd of the tournament always surprises her but not always in good way. The situation she found herself in was a stark contrast to her match two days ago where she received a standing ovation on Philippe Chatrier following her three-set triumph over Ostapenko.
“What is amazing that people dared to boo me on the court when I had to abandon the match. And it was because I was in pain. But sometimes the French audience surprises me and not always in the right direction,” she said.
“It hurt more than my injury itself. It was just a handful of people in the stadium so maybe they made a lot of noise. But it’s really too much when you see everything I’ve been giving on the court for so many years. I think it would have been far easier for me not to come on to the court, not to put myself, make myself vulnerable with this injury.”
Cornet was making her 61st consecutive appearance in a Grand Slam main draw which is the joint-second longest streak on the WTA Tour along with Francesca Schiavone. This year is her 18th appearance at Roland Garros alone. She made her French Open debut back in 2005.
As to how much longer she may continue playing for, Cornet remains coy about her future intentions in the sport. At the start of this season she said she was contemplating retirement.
“I don’t know. Just on the spot it’s very difficult to say,” Cornet replied when asked if she will play the French Open next year.
Cornet has been ranked as high as 11th in the world and has won six WTA titles during her career.
