At the Australian Open, brief interviews after key matches in the two major arenas have long been a staple of entertainment. Two-time Melbourne winner Jim Courier, now a respected commentator, has elevated this little on-pitch act to an art form. But he does not claim this task only for himself. Former Croatian player Jelena Dokic, 38, stepped onto the pitch on Monday. Alizé Cornet came towards her, her eyes still wet from her tears of joy. They both hugged each other, and when they said goodbye five minutes later, they hugged each other again. This time Dokic cried. There had never been an interview like this here in Melbourne Park.
In the press conference, of course, Cornet was immediately asked about her reputation as a drama queen, and she laughed heartily. “If I’m a drama queen for people, then I am,” she said. “What I know is that I give my all on the pitch and I think that’s why there’s drama sometimes.” She was right, it’s just part of her story, it should also be mentioned, that not entirely unimportant detail that she didn’t always collect plus points with her performances. At the French Open 2016, her German opponent Tatjana Maria complained at the time that she simulated cramps; Barbara Rittner, the current women’s national coach, even tweeted: “Hollywood calling”. The Frenchwoman from Nice has often acted as if she had internalized Brad Gilbert’s bestseller “Winning Ugly”.
But those times are over. Cornet has become one of the most valued women on tour. She is a voice that is also heard.
Cornet is contesting her 61st consecutive Grand Slam in Melbourne, an unbelievable series
The story of how an unpopular actor becomes a popular one would be exciting in itself. Now she is also enriched by a sporting performance that surprises even Cornet, almost in her old age. 32 she is. Since 2006, she has never been below 90th place in the world rankings. 2011 number eleven. Six titles on the WTA Tour. She’s what Philipp Kohlschreiber has been with German men for so long: a reliable pro, for more than a decade, with a mind of his own (although Kohlschreiber never used “winning ugly” methods). Like the 38-year-old, Cornet is also thinking of saying goodbye: “It could be my last season, that’s true,” she now admitted.
So, with that perspective, she traveled to Australia. She is contesting her 61st Grand Slam tournament in a row in Melbourne, she has never been missing since 2007, an unbelievable series on the women’s tour. Like this one: she had never gotten further than the round of 16. She stood there five times. She lost 20 times in round one. And now? Is she in the quarterfinals for the first time, in her 63rd Grand Slam. Out of nowhere.
In the second round she threw out the world number three Garbiñe Muguruza from Spain, on Monday Simona Halep. She felt the impact of her success after the third converted match point, of course. When Cornet wrestled down the Romanian, the former number one, after 2:33 hours of torment due to the sauna-like temperatures 6:4, 3:6, 6:4, she sank to her knees. Crouched long. When she got up and hugged Halep, Dokic was already waiting for her. It was as if fate had decreed this reunion after a wafer-thin failure 13 years ago.
In Melbourne, Cornet convinces above all with her tenacity – the 32-year-old French never gives up.
(Photo: Martin Keep/AFP)
Dokic and Cornet immediately remembered the Australian Open 2009. Cornet had two match points in the round of 16 against the Russian Darina Safina, but she lost – and thus missed the duel with Dokic in the quarterfinals. They chatted like two school friends while a few thousand spectators in the Rod Laver Arena listened enthusiastically. When the interview was over, Cornet asked for a final word. And once again it became clear how much the French woman has gained in profile.
She paid homage to Dokic. For how she overcame her personal suffering. Dokic used to be physically and psychologically abused by her father for years, as she also described in a haunting book. A dark, terrible story. Cornet wanted to “congratulate” on how she fought her way back to life. People rose and Dokic cried out through sobs: “You make me cry.”
In the case of the long-missing Peng Shuai, Cornet was one of the first to speak out
Cornet later said she just wanted to share that moment with Dokic, it “made sense”. And that answer actually made sense on its part. Because Cornet has become a caregiver, that’s been noticeable for a long time. She takes a stand, like Andy Murray, who is therefore preferred to be asked about sensitive issues. Cornet was one of the first to express concern in the case of the long-missing Chinese player Peng Shuai. “I saw it as my duty, as a colleague,” she now explained. She still hopes that the 36-year-old is doing well. Apart from a few obscure appearances that appeared orchestrated, little is still known about the Chinese woman’s well-being.
At the Australian Open, fans also wanted to stand up for the player, but security forces forced them to wear T-shirts with the famous question “Where is Peng Shuai?” to remove. Cornet said she could not assess the incident without knowing the details. Just this much: “I was surprised. I think everyone should be able to express their support for Peng Shuai.”
In the quarter-finals, Cornet meets American Danielle Collins, who is known for her shrill way of cheering herself on. “It could also be a drama. She’s like a lioness,” said Cornet and laughed. Like she can’t wait to get started again.