In a bizarre turn of events, Lois Boisson gained notoriety less than two months ago when Harriet Dart, during a match at the Rouen Open, drew attention to her by requesting the umpire to tell Boisson to wear deodorant due to a strong body odour. This comment triggered a wave of discussion, and Dart later apologised, expressing regret over her remark and acknowledging Boisson’s impressive performance during the match, which saw Boisson triumph 6-0, 6-3.
Fast forward to the present, Boisson, now ranked 361 in the world, has become a sensation at Roland Garros. She achieved a stunning upset by defeating third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Mirra Andreeva, securing a place in the semi-finals against the highly regarded Coco Gauff. Commentators noted that prior to this tournament, the only association many had with Boisson was Dart’s unfortunate comment. However, her remarkable play has overshadowed that moment, and now her talents are centre stage.
Sport analysts have been captivated by her performance, praising her unique style, including her strong serves and agility, drawing comparisons to French tennis legends. Remarkably, Boisson is making her grand slam debut in a major way, being the first woman since Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati to reach the semi-finals in her first major tournament in over three decades, and the lowest-ranked player to do so at Roland Garros in 40 years.
Boisson’s journey to this point has been arduous; she missed last year’s French Open due to a knee injury. Despite the challenges, her powerful and strategic gameplay has resonated with the crowds, creating an electrifying atmosphere during her matches. The support she received from enthusiastic fans further buoyed her performance, especially as they cheered vocally for her and displayed a strong connection to her.
After her latest victory, Boisson expressed her heartfelt joy and determination, acknowledging that winning the French Open has long been a dream of hers. As she sets her sights on the semi-finals, she remains focused and hopeful about her chances.
As her narrative unfolds from an awkward public incident to a compelling Cinderella story, the tennis world watches closely, eager to see if she can continue her impressive run.