The 2025 season offered three distinct stories for Azuréen women’s tennis. Alizé Cornet made an unexpected comeback before closing the chapter of her career for good. Diane Parry went through a year marked by injuries and inconsistencies. Fiona Ferro tried to rebuild after a long hiatus. Three journeys. The same battle with the circuit.
Alizé Cornet: A Comeback and Then the Transition
Ten months after announcing her retirement, Alizé Cornet announced her return to competition at the end of March 2025. The 35-year-old Niçoise restarted the engine without delay. A choice made. A desire to play again for the pleasure of it.
In early April, Alizé Cornet first made her return at the WTA 125 in La Bisbal d’Empordà. The first round smiled upon her against Irene Burillo Escorihuela. The round of 16 confirmed the momentum against Susan Bandecchi. The quarter-final pitted the Niçoise against Dalma Galfi, 26, ranked 159th in the world. Progress was clear against a former Top 100 player. The journey stopped due to an injury. A painful triceps ended her already promising path.
Shortly after, Alizé Cornet was called up to the French team for the Billie Jean King Cup. Barely back on the circuit, the Niçoise reunited with the French team. Julien Benneteau had made this choice: “Alizé is physically fit and competitive. She can play in singles and especially in doubles. Her experience in this competition and the fact that she can play with Diane (Parry) or Caroline (Garcia) are assets that can be useful to us during the week.” Experience spoke. The record showed two doubles victories for one singles defeat.
The rest of the season focused on Wimbledon. The goal was to qualify for a 73rd Grand Slam tournament. The preparatory tournaments did not bring positive results. The London qualifications offered a brief hope. Two rounds cleared. Elimination in the third round against Elsa Jacquemot. The dream ended there.
Alizé Cornet then played a few tournaments without pressure. The career ended in mid-September. A chapter closed. Tennis remained present. A few weeks later, Alizé Cornet was named captain of the French Billie Jean King Cup team. A logical continuation. A new responsibility in a delicate context. The French group had been weakened by injuries and absences. Several headliners missed multiple events in 2024. Progressing towards the world elite will not be easy. In April 2026, France will compete in the Europe/Africa zone qualifications. A win would open the doors to the November play-offs. The return to the World Group is aimed for 2027. For Alizé Cornet, the 2025 season marked the transition from player to captain.
Diane Parry: A Season Under Constraint
The 2025 season for Diane Parry began at the Australian Open. The Niçoise hadn’t fully recovered from the knee injury sustained at the Billie Jean King Cup in November 2024. The first round was fatal against Donna Vekic. The Croatian’s power made the difference.
The absence from the circuit since mid-November took its toll. The last appearance dated from a victory in the Billie Jean King Cup against Emiliana Arango. The injury during that match had led to her withdrawal from the rest of the competition. Questions around her knee persisted for a long time. The field provided partial answers.
A series of first-round defeats followed. Confidence took its time to return before the clay season arrived. In Madrid, Diane Parry qualified for the main draw. Two victories that greatly benefited her morale. The first of the year 2025 in singles. Roland-Garros approached cautiously.
But the momentum was interrupted in Saint-Malo. A new injury occurred, and when Roland-Garros arrived, disaster struck. The tournament ended with a first-round defeat. Doubts resurfaced. The Niçoise hadn’t been in the Top 100 worldwide for nearly a year. The battle for direct entry into Grand Slams intensified.
The grass changed the atmosphere. Diane Parry regained sensations. The Wimbledon qualifications were brilliantly cleared. The journey ended in the third round of the main draw. An unexpected result given the beginning of the season. The US Open confirmed this boost with another very positive third round.
Except that regularity ultimately lacked throughout the season. The ranking didn’t follow. To earn points, Diane Parry headed for the Asian tour. The outcome was meager. Two wins. Five losses. Her season ended in late October at 124th in the world rankings. The horizon for 2026 opens with the prospect of significant battles for a place at the Australian Open.
Fiona Ferro: Between Hope and Rehabilitation
Fiona Ferro approached 2025 with the desire to return. Injuries had dropped her ranking beyond the 400th in the world. The Valbonnaise resumed on the Challenger circuit, in Mâcon and then in Finland. The sensations were there. The rhythm was still missing.
The return to the WTA circuit took place in Rouen, mid-April. The qualifications were cleared. The first round of the main draw was won. Positive signals accompanied this tournament. What followed was more irregular in Saint-Malo and then at the Clarins Trophy.
The Roland-Garros qualifications marked a halt. A second-round defeat highlighted the gap with the required level. The season continued on clay in Biarritz and then in Blois. The body reminded its limits. A painful wrist forced Fiona Ferro to take another break.
Surgery took place in July. The following months were dedicated to rehabilitation. The return was gradual at the end of October. Fiona Ferro stepped back on the courts with Alizé Cornet, recently retired. The season wasn’t over. Wildcards allowed her to play in Angers and then in Limoges. Each time, the first round was cleared with an encouraging level.
The 2025 season ended on these positive notes. Fiona Ferro has regained bearings. The focus turned to 2026. The goal remained clear. To come back, step by step, to a level compatible with the circuit’s demands.
