“Takes Bad Decisions for Sports”: Alize Cornet Calls Out French Sports Minister After French Open 2021 Postponement

The news of the postponement of the French Open 2021 for a week did not go down well with Alize Cornet. Accordingly, she called the French Sports Minister, Roxana Maracineanu, a disaster.

The decision made is an attempt at getting more spectators at the Roland Garros 2021. However, the seven-day pushback will leave a mere two-week gap for players to prepare for Wimbledon.

Consequently, the French professional and World No. 59 Alize Cornet was disappointed, and she let her feelings be known. And although she repeatedly tried to be regretful about her comments, she did make some serious accusations.

Alize Cornet not happy to be told of the reported postponement of Roland Garros on Tennis Channel.

(I also love that she says “it stays between us” during a live television interview.) pic.twitter.com/IKkS96VQJo

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) April 7, 2021

DIVE DEEPER

Alize Cornet fires bullets after learning about French Open 2021 postponement

Alize Cornet, 31, recently took out the seventh seed Elise Mertens in the ongoing Volvo Car Open 2021. After her match, she had an interview with the Tennis Channel, where she learned the news about the postponement.

The Frenchwoman showed immediate disappointment on hearing the news; however, she exactly knew who to blame. She said, “Well, it stays between us, but our sports minister is a disaster. Sorry, I have nothing against her, but she only takes bad decisions for sports like she doesn’t care.”

Furthermore, the former World No. 11 added that the decision might have come from the government or the tournament to increase spectators. However, she also realized that the postponement would direly affect the events scheduled behind the French Open 2021.

“It’s a pretty selfish decision, to be honest, because the calendar is going to suffer from this postponement,” Alize added.

DIVE DEEPER

Which tournaments would be affected by the French delay?

The Stuttgart (ATP), ‘s-Hertogenbosch (ATP and WTA) and Nottingham (WTA) are the events under a cloud. Moreover, there is speculation that one might also get canceled due to the 7-day delay.

Above all, the biggest worry for players would be to make the transition from clay to grass in two weeks. From a player’s perspective, there would be many who will agree with Alize. Hopefully, the clay finale will conclude without any hindrance.

For now, the players and fans are looking forward to the next two months of tennis on red dirt. In time, things will come to settle as the French Open 2021 approaches.

Do you think the delay will hamper the performance of players in Roland Garros as well as at Wimbledon?

DIVE DEEPER