THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2022

Alize Cornet

Press Conference

A. CORNET/I. Swiatek

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Alize, give us your thoughts on that match.

ALIZE CORNET: Well, I'm very happy. I guess I am not processing everything yet. I think I'm just in the moment right now. It's a big pride for me to win this match against Iga. I mean, what she's done this year is out of this world, and I can't believe I'm the one that actually broke the streak.

This is amazing. I'm very happy to be in the second week again for the second time.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You say you can't believe you've been the one to beat Iga. How difficult was it to convince yourself that you could go out and beat her?

ALIZE CORNET: Yeah, I had this belief for a few days already. I mean, a few days... After I won my second round, I knew that I would probably play against Iga. I kept telling myself, Well, the streak -- I was telling myself someone would have to break the streak eventually, and why not me? That's all.

I thought that here was the best chance for me to do it. Maybe it was her less good surface. She's so good on clay court and hard court. And grass, you know, I knew I had a little opportunity to do something. I knew I had to play a very solid match. I think that's what I did today.

Yeah, the belief was there since the beginning. I think it's very important to have that, otherwise you stand no chance in front of this kind of player.

Q. It's obviously not the first time you've caused a big upset at Wimbledon. What do you think your qualities are that make you the kind of player that can cause an upset?

ALIZE CORNET: That's a good question (smiling).

Maybe because I -- I don't know. I don't know what makes me this kind of player.

Okay, maybe I think I'm a little more relaxed when I'm the underdog. I think I have nothing to lose, and that's where I have nothing to lose that I am the most dangerous. I play my shots, like, more relaxed, I hit better from the baseline. I don't know, I don't have any parasite in my thoughts.

If you want to be that player, you have to play your best tennis. You cannot allow yourself to lose energy on anything else. I think that's where I'm the best.

Well, it's crazy because it's almost the same scenario than eight years ago against Serena. Third round on Court 1 against world No. 1. I did it again. It's a nice feeling to see that at 32 years old I'm still going strong like that.

Q. What does it mean to you that you've got this massive win at the tournament where you've equaled Sugiyama's record of consecutive Grand Slam appearances? Do you think that's a coincidence or is it because you're focusing on the Grand Slams knowing this record is something you're going for?

ALIZE CORNET: Yeah, I'm actually pretty surprised that I'm doing my best year in slam ever. Like, I've never played so good in slam than this year. It's very surprising. I didn't expect that.

Of course, it means a lot. It also maybe means that I'm more mature, I'm just better mentally to handle these kind of situations. I think also I'm enjoying myself so much more in slams this year because I feel that's the rendezvous, I'm winning the most.

I'm just very motivated each time I go on the court at a slam, particularly this year for some reason. It's working. I don't know. The piece of the puzzle are just going together. I'm having a lot of fun. I think I'm also taking a little more distance from everything. It helps me a lot to just be better on the court and be the best version of myself, I guess. I don't know.

Q. Your feelings about the record?

ALIZE CORNET: Yeah, I forgot the main question (smiling).

Yeah, well, first of all, this record means a lot to me because it means I've been so consistent for all these years with no injury, with being in the top hundred and top 50 for all these years.

First of all, this record was something that meant a lot to me. Now making the second week while playing this record is even better. I don't know what to say. It shows that I still have some amazing things to give on the court. And beating Iga today feels like a dream, really.

Q. You spoke at the Australian Open about this possibly being your last year on tour. Do days like this make you reconsider everything?

ALIZE CORNET: No (smiling). I think that's why I'm playing so good, it's because I know it's almost the end. I'm, like, giving everything. I don't project myself so much.

I might just play till Roland Garros next year. That's the plan. But, no, I'm not considering getting back on this decision. We'll talk about it next year, see which position mentally I'm in.

I just want to take it match by match. Early when I was walking to Court 1, I was smiling because, Okay, that might be the last time I'm walking to Court No. 1, so please just enjoy yourself, have fun, take all the good energy. I think that's also why I'm playing so good, it's because I took that decision.

Q. What are your thoughts on your next opponent?

ALIZE CORNET: I don't know. I don't want to know who is my opponent.

Q. No?

ALIZE CORNET: No. Really, please. I just beat the world No. 1. I want to enjoy for a few hours, not knowing what's next, not envisioning and be like, I'm going to play her, blah, blah, blah. I don't want to know. Until tomorrow I'm not going to try to be on the social media because for sure I will find out.

No, right now, sorry, I'm screwing your question but I just want to stay on this super nice feeling that I'm having right now. Yeah, sorry.

Q. You said on your on-court interview you're aging like a fine wine. How are you going to celebrate?

ALIZE CORNET: Having treatment with my physio and good dinner at the players' restaurant I guess.

I don't know. It's already late. I think just being with my team is the best reward I can get, just enjoying these feelings together. I really like to share these moments and enjoy this feeling of this job done, and well done, maybe just have dinner in Southfields or something. Nothing crazy.

I think we have to stay focused and keep believing that I can go farther than that, not losing too much energy in celebrating. Not yet. Not quite yet. At the end of the tournament, I might have some things to celebrate, maybe even better things.