Athlete Spotlight: Cornet

ALIZE CORNET

Current Ranking: 20th

Age: 18

This young upstart from Nice, France has been one of the biggest success stories of the 2008 season. A French Open Juniors Champion in 2007, Alize has spared little time in he dramatic ascent up the WTA Rankings. Beggining the year ranked 56 in the world, Alize reached her first final in Acapulco which would be just a glipse of her glittering clay-court season. Following a first-round loss on the hardcourts of Miami, Cornet vaulted to the Amelia Island and Charleston semis, her first Tier II and Tier I Semis repectively. Her breakthrough was cemented at the prestigious event in Rome, which marked her first Tier I final. Though she lost to Jankovic, Alize clearly possesses the game and attitude that can bring her to the top of the game.

What truely separates this talented Frecnhwoman, however, is her positive and refreshing attitude towards the sport. She seems genuinly excited about her amazing accomplishments (which is a rareity in tennis). Additionally her bright and thoughtful methods of approaching her matches, interviews, and press venues is one of a kind. Because of her early results and preference for clay, some believe that her succes cannot extend to other surfaces. With her talent and problem-solving capabilities, however, Alize Cornet will be one ot look out for on any court, and is my favorite breakout star of the year.