Alizé Cornet was injured for six weeks. She told the press about the period not being able to play tennis: ‘ I had serious back problems. My back has given me problems before, it’s a kind of a weak place, so I had to take a period of rest. I could not play tennis or do any other sports, and that’s hard for me. I watched tennis all the time on Tennis-TV and it was hard being out of competition. On the other hand, It was also good. I could spend time at home, which I never do, having no stress of the competition, but to be honest: after two weeks I was freaking out. I was missing tennis, sporting, traveling and the competition. This is the live I love. Not being able to play made me think about what’s really important to me. Tennis is everything for me. Now that I’m back on the court I’m very happy. Of course, as a professional tennis player you want to play good, but I realized that being able to play tennis again is more important to me. I’m a little bit a different person. When my game is not as good as I want it to be, or when I’m loosing, it’s not really important. I have had a couple of very painful weeks. My back was really hurt. But now I’m back on the court and I can play and move again!. I can run towards the ball and I hope I can keep this feeling of happiness just because of being on the court for the rest of the season. I have to be patient with my self. I’m not on the level I was before my injury. Playing long matches like I did against Shinikova is the best practice to improve my leveI. No, the fact that I won this tournament in Katowice in 2014, doesn’t give me any pressure. I like to be here anyhow. The Polish people are so friendly and they make me feel like coming home. So, no pressure, I’m happy to be in the second round and w’ll see where this journey ends.
The match against Isabelle Shinikova took about two and a half hours. Alizé was a little bit worried in the third set about her physical condition and asked for the doctor. ‘I was a little dizzy and I didn’t want to faint or something like that, but the doctor said everything was oké. It’s just the lake of condition after a period of no sporting at all.’ During the match her experience was clear. She made a lot of points by producing beautiful drop shots. With respect to her touch one could’t see that she was out of competition for six weeks. ‘The drop-shot is a completely natural shot to me. I don’t think about it and throughout the years I find out that I have a pretty good touch. Most of the time the drop-shots are good and in the women’s tour it’s a very big wagon. Most of the girls run very good from left to right, but when they have to come forward it’s less easy for them. On the WTA-tour in my opinion it’s not used enough.’
Alizé confirms that she will play for France in the Fed Cup against the Netherlands on 16 and 17 April. At the end of the press conference there is an unexpected question from one of the oldest journalists. He ask her if she likes to dance. A surprised Alizé answers that she does indeed. ‘How about the tango?’ he asked. ‘Oh yes, I love the tango. ‘Then, when you win the tournament, will you tango with me on the court. ‘Promised, if I win, we will tango!” laughs the French lady.
YOU CAN SEE THE FULL PICTURES AND SLIDE SHOW. CLICK ON ANY PHOTO AND THE PICTURES WILL BE MORE BEAUTIFUL!