From Dijon to the Grand Slam Spotlight: Who is Lois Boisson?

In a tournament that has delivered drama, upsets, and moments of pure magic, one storyline has stood out from the rest: the unexpected rise of Loïs Boisson. Practically unknown to casual fans just weeks ago, the 22-year-old French wildcard has stormed into the semi-finals of the Roland Garros, stunning the tennis world and capturing hearts across the globe. As she prepares to face World No. 2 Coco Gauff, Boisson has become the pride of France — a homegrown underdog writing her own Grand Slam fairytale in front of a roaring Parisian crowd.

Lois Boisson's fairytale run continues, and that match against Andreeva makes it in our Extraordinary Moments of the day with @HaierOfficial ✨#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fiAsJCDyMv

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2025

From Dijon to the Grand Slam Spotlight

Loïs Boisson was born on May 16, 2003, in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy in eastern France — a region better known for wine than world-class tennis players. Her athletic pedigree runs deep: her father, Yann Boisson, was a professional basketball player, and her early years were marked by a love for all sports. However, by the age of eight, Loïs had turned her full attention to tennis, showing an early spark that led her to local training at ASPTT Dijon before progressing to more elite institutions like TC Beaulieu and eventually training under Riccardo Piatti in Italy — a coach known for developing top-tier talent.

Despite turning professional in 2021, her rise through the rankings was slow and often overlooked. The tennis world, focused on teenage prodigies and flashy debuts, largely missed her consistent, methodical growth on the ITF circuit. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 152 in May 2024, but never managed a main-draw appearance at a Grand Slam — until now.

Overcoming Adversity

Boisson’s path to the spotlight has been shaped as much by setbacks as by talent. In May 2024, just as she was beginning to build momentum, tragedy struck: she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the final of the Clarins Trophy. The injury sidelined her for eight months, forcing her to undergo surgery and rehab while watching her peers surge ahead. She missed the 2024 French Open, which would have been her long-awaited home Slam debut.

That dark period tested her resolve, but Boisson remained determined. She worked tirelessly with a rehabilitation team, rebuilt her movement and strength, and returned to competition early in 2025. While most players would have faded from memory, Boisson used the time to refine her mental toughness — a factor that has been on full display during her Roland Garros run. Her resilience is now part of what makes her journey so compelling.

The Fairytale Run at Roland Garros

Entering the 2025 French Open on a wildcard entry — one of the few given to unseeded French players — Boisson was not expected to progress past the first round. But with each match, she stunned opponents and experts alike, showcasing a fearless game anchored by a powerful topspin-heavy forehand, a strong first serve clocked over 190 km/h (120 mph), and remarkable court coverage.

Here’s a breakdown of her incredible path to the semi-finals:

• 1st Round: Defeated Elise Mertens, the No. 24 seed, in straight sets. The Belgian veteran had no answers to Boisson’s aggressive baseline play and crowd-fueled momentum.
• 2nd Round: Beat Anhelina Kalinina in a tense three-set battle, showing composure under pressure and saving four break points in the final set.
• 3rd Round: Faced off against fellow French wildcard Elsa Jacquemot, a former junior Grand Slam champion. Boisson won convincingly, dominating with her serve and dictating rallies early.
• 4th Round: Shocked Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed and a consistent Grand Slam performer. After dropping the first set 3–6, Boisson roared back 6–4, 6–4, delivering the biggest win of her career.
• Quarterfinals: In perhaps her most complete performance, she dispatched rising star Mirra Andreeva, the No. 6 seed, in straight sets (7–6(6), 6–3), breaking serve three times and saving all seven break points she faced.

With every victory, the buzz grew louder: Roland Garros had found its new darling.

Staying Grounded Amidst the Hype

Despite her stunning rise and rapidly growing fan base, Boisson has stayed remarkably humble and focused. In her post-match interviews, she repeatedly emphasized that her run wasn’t due to luck or divine intervention, but rather “years of hard work, sacrifice, and believing in myself even when nobody else did.” She’s made the conscious decision to stay off social media during the tournament, preferring to avoid distractions and focus solely on her game.

“Of course, it feels amazing,” she said after reaching the semis. “But I don’t want to get carried away. There’s still work to do.” Her grounded mindset, rare among rising stars, has only endeared her further to fans and commentators.

A Historic Achievement

Boisson’s accomplishments already place her among the great Roland Garros underdog stories:

• She is the first wildcard in the Open Era to reach the French Open semi-finals.
• She’s also the lowest-ranked women’s singles Grand Slam semi-finalist in four decades, ranked No. 361 coming into the tournament.
• And incredibly, she’s the first woman since 1989 to make the semi-finals in her Grand Slam debut.

These milestones not only mark personal triumphs but also redefine what’s possible for wildcards and low-ranked players. Her success has inspired a wave of belief in French tennis and injected fresh energy into the WTA Tour.

Financially, the semi-final appearance has already transformed her career. Boisson will earn a minimum of £578,000 from this tournament, over five times her entire career prize money up to this point. For a player who spent years grinding on the lower-tier circuits, often traveling on tight budgets, this success is life-changing.

The Upcoming Challenge: Coco Gauff

Next up for Boisson is a dream — and daunting — matchup: Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and one of the sport’s most consistent young stars. Gauff has the speed, defense, and tactical awareness to pose a serious challenge to Boisson’s aggressive style.

But Boisson is undeterred. “I’ve already exceeded everyone’s expectations — maybe even my own,” she said. “Now, I’m just going to go out there, enjoy it, and see what happens.” With a red-hot game, a home crowd behind her, and nothing to lose, Boisson is a dangerous opponent — and a player with destiny on her side.