Cornet to play record-extending 68th straight Grand Slam thanks to Australian Open wildcard

The Frenchwoman’s run goes all the way back to the French Open of 2006

Imago / Panoramic

December 11, 2023

Reciprocal wildcards remain one of the more controversial things within the tennis world, a situation where the Grand Slam nations – with the exception of Wimbledon – extend wildcards to players from other slam nations, knowing they will receive one in return.

It’s entirely unnecessary, but in the case of the Australian Open in 2024, it does mean that one of the most impressive records in tennis will be extended.

Alize Cornet, the 33-year-old Frenchwoman, now ranked 116 on the WTA Tour, is a recipient of a reciprocal wildcard, which means she will be playing in her 68th consecutive Grand Slam event, extending a record she already holds.

Alize Cornet, with the help of a wildcard, will make a WTA record-extending *68th* consecutive Grand Slam appearance at the 2024 Australian Open…

16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who will also feature in the Australian Open draw, wasn't born the last time Cornet missed a Grand Slam
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 11, 2023

Cornet’s run goes back to the French Open of 2006, when she reached the second round. In addition to a series of fourth-round showings, her best Grand Slam effort came at the Australian Open in 2022, when she made the quarters of a slam for the first time.