"It's never too late" says an inspired Alize Cornet on her Australian Open run

Alize Cornet never played in a grand slam quarterfinal before but the French player will do so at the 2022 Australian Open.

The 32-year-old Frenchwoman came into the Australian Open, her 63rd Slam main-draw, wondering if this might be her final season. One week later, she's into her first Slam quarterfinal, the most appearances by anyone before reaching this stage of a major.

She did it by defeating two in-form former No.1s in Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep, and rallying from a set and 4-1 down - on her birthday, no less - to overcome 2021 Roland Garros semifinalist Tamara Zidansek. After the last win she said:

"It's never too late to try again. I can't hide my true nature. If I'm a drama queen for the people, then I am."

Cornet admitted that she always gives her best on the court and that is somethign nobody can dispute:

"What I know is that I give everything I have on the court, and I think that's why sometimes there is drama, because when you play against a player like Halep who does the same as you, which is not letting go a single point, fighting and grinding, I mean, this makes drama by definition.

She further said:

"But yeah, that's who I am. I think people want to see truth on the court, and honesty I think that's what I am. So there is good side and bad side sometimes. Right now it's all about good side."

She was also asked about her ealier comments about possible retirement and on that she said:

"I'm not closing any door to keep going. But I gave so much to this game and to this tennis life. I feel I'm pretty much ready for the next chapter. At least by the end of the year, I think I'll be ready."