Alizé Cornet
A fiery and enduring competitor, she held the ironwoman record for most consecutive Grand Slam appearances while consistently challenging the world's best.
Born 1990 (age 36)·French tennis player·Birthday: January 22·Millennials
Biography
Alizé Cornet was born in Nice, France, in 1990. She burst onto the professional tour as a teenage prodigy, cracking the top 20 by winning titles with clever counter-punching and fierce determination. No major singles trophy came, but she defeated the world number one on multiple occasions, including a stunning upset of Serena Williams at Wimbledon. Her record 68 consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances demonstrate her durability and love for the sport. Cornet played every point with visible emotion, becoming a fan favorite who admired her unwavering spirit. She competed on clay, grass, and hard courts for over fifteen years, retiring in 2024.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alizé was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alizé Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Alizé's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the record for most consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances, with 68 from 2007 to 2023.
- Reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 in February 2009.
- Defeated world No. 1 Serena Williams in the third round of Wimbledon in 2014.
- Advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2022, her best Grand Slam singles result.
Did You Know?
She is named after the trade wind 'Alizé.'
She published an autobiography, 'Sans compromis' (Without Compromise), in 2019.
She has a signature victory over a world No. 1 at three different Grand Slams (Williams at Wimbledon, Simona Halep at the Australian Open, and Garbiñe Muguruza at the French Open).
She won the French Open girls' singles title in 2007.
“I have always fought like a lioness, and I will continue to do so until the last point.”
