PARIS — French wildcard Lois Boisson stunned the tennis world with a thrilling victory over rising star Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of the French Open, securing her place in the semifinals. The 21-year-old revealed a surprising team detail after the match, shedding light on the unconventional approach that propelled her to this historic milestone.
Boisson, ranked No. 227 in the world, delivered a masterclass performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, defeating the 17-year-old Russian prodigy 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in a grueling two-hour battle. The victory marks her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal appearance, making her the lowest-ranked woman to reach this stage at Roland Garros since 1983.
A Surprising Team Revelation
In her post-match press conference, Boisson shared an unexpected detail about her coaching setup: "I don't have a full-time coach. My team is just my physio and my mental coach. We've been working on staying calm under pressure, and today it paid off." The revelation stunned reporters, as most top players travel with extensive entourages.
Boisson explained her minimalist approach:
"Tennis can become too complicated when you have too many voices. With just my physio and mental coach, we focus on the essentials: my body and my mind. The technical work? That's what my childhood coach and I built over years before this tournament."
The Match That Defied Expectations
The quarterfinal clash saw Boisson display remarkable composure against the much-hyped Andreeva, who had been tipped as a potential champion. Key moments included:
- A 12-minute opening game that set the tone for the physical battle
- A crucial break at 4-4 in the first set after saving three break points
- A dominant final set where Boisson won 83% of first-serve points
Andreeva, who had eliminated two seeded players en route to the quarterfinals, admitted she struggled with Boisson's variety: "She played with so much spin and changed the rhythm constantly. I couldn't find my usual game. Lois deserved the win today—she was braver in the important moments."
The Road to the Semifinals
Boisson's improbable run at Roland Garros includes victories over:
- No. 12 seed Jasmine Paolini in the third round
- Former champion Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round
- And now the highly-touted Andreeva in the quarters
French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton praised Boisson's achievement: "This is why we give wildcards—to uncover these incredible stories. Lois represents the fighting spirit of French tennis. Her performance today will inspire a generation of young players."
The Mental Game Difference
Boisson's mental coach, Dr. Claire Dubois, explained their unconventional preparation: "We've worked extensively on emotional regulation techniques. Lois visualizes matches while controlling her breathing patterns. Today, you saw her implement these tools perfectly when facing break points or after losing long rallies."
Looking Ahead
Boisson will face either world No. 1 Iga Świątek or No. 5 seed Coco Gauff in the semifinals. When asked about the challenge ahead, she remained characteristically grounded: "I'm just going to enjoy this moment tonight. Tomorrow we'll prepare like we have for every match—simple, focused, one point at a time."
The last Frenchwoman to win her home Grand Slam was Mary Pierce in 2000. While Boisson remains a long shot for the title, her remarkable journey has already captured the hearts of tennis fans worldwide. As the tournament enters its final stages, one thing is certain: this unassuming wildcard has proven that sometimes, less really is more.