As Lois Boisson reached the French Open semifinals at home through a combination of power, finesse and speed, flashes of Emma Raducanu’s unprecedented 2021 U.S. Open sprung to mind.
While Raducanu became the first qualifier to ever win a Major, Boisson was only two matches away from landing a Grand Slam title in her Grand Slam debut. Eventual champion Coco Gauff foiled her opportunity at a truly historic achievement, but not before Boisson’s career trajectory — and life — forever changed. Not that the grounded Boisson, who was ranked no. 361 before the French Open began, herself expects much to differ away from the courts.
“I have a great team with me, and I'm going to keep my feet well on the ground and all will be well,” said Boisson, who catapulted to no. 65 in the rankings following Roland-Garros.
Let’s learn more about the 22-year-old, who looks set to make her WTA 1000 debut at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal in July.
Where was she born?
Boisson was born in — somewhat fittingly since she cut the mustard at Roland-Garros — Dijon. She shares a May 16 birthday with another dark-haired French Open semifinalist — and the 1988 winner in Montreal — Gabriela Sabatini.
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Boisson now resides around another tourist hotspot in France, Annecy, sometimes called the ‘Venice of the Alps.’
Did she play the juniors?
If junior rankings provide an indication of success at the pro level — we know that’s often not the case — Boisson’s career-high of no. 71 in 2021 wouldn’t have put her on the radar of many outside France. In her lone junior Grand Slam, Boisson did claim a set against current Top 20 regular Diana Shnaider.
But injuries delayed her arrival to the big stage.
It’s now well known that Boisson suffered a torn ACL just ahead of the 2024 French Open — after being given a wildcard to the year’s second Major. However, even before then, she didn’t play many matches (about 40 combined) in 2021 and 2022 due to other injuries, including one to her shoulder.
Who is her idol?
Boisson’s favourite player is the undisputed King of Clay Rafael Nadal. She told the French Tennis Federation that watching the Spaniard land his 13th French Open title in 2020 had a significant impact. Later, she received a wildcard to compete in French Open qualifying, getting a chance to warm up on the same court, Philippe-Chatrier, that Nadal made his own.
“It's a moment that marked me,” Boisson said. “I said to myself, ‘This is where I want to be.’”
Has she played any WTA tournaments?
Boisson’s injuries and associated lower ranking meant she only ever played one WTA tournament before the French Open, in Rouen, France in April. Was it eventful? You could say that.
She started by easing past Harriet Dart, who during the match told the chair umpire that Boisson smelled “really bad.” Dart later apologized but Boisson saw the funny side, posting on social media that Dove should sponsor her. In her next outing, Boisson led Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-1, 5-1 and held a match point — only to lose in three sets.
That experience might have helped her at Roland-Garros, where she held firm to close out Top 10 players Jessica Pegula — the two-time defending NBO champ — and Mirra Andreeva. Boisson started her French Open by ousting another seed, Elise Mertens.
How about the other surfaces?
Boisson’s heavy forehand — a combination of speed and spin — is especially handy on clay courts, as is her drop shot. She enjoys gliding on the clay while her two-handed backhand can sometimes produce magic down the line. How does her game translate to the other surfaces? We’ll soon find out.
Only about 70 of her 210 matches at professional tournaments have come outside of clay. Through the week of June 8, she has never competed on grass, while her winning percentage at hard court events (all of which are at lower levels) sits at roughly 50%. But one thing is for certain — given her huge ranking bump, Boisson figures to feature much more on hard courts for the rest of this year.
The WTA's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature photo: ©Nicolas Gouhier / FFT
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