Wildcards rarely cause seismic shifts at Grand Slam tournaments, but 22-year-old French tennis player Lois Boisson has done exactly that at the 2025 French Open. Entering Roland Garros ranked a modest No. 361—and known more for an unfortunate viral incident than her on-court achievements—Boisson has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. On a pivotal Monday afternoon at Court Philippe-Chatrier, she delivered a stunning upset over world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, rallying to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and secure a spot in the quarter-finals of her home Grand Slam. Overnight, Boisson transformed from “the player who smells really bad” into the player who “came up roses.” This article delves into the backstory of Boisson’s viral moment, her journey through injury and obscurity, the details of her historic victory, and the broader context of a tournament that has been bereft of French success—until now.
I. The Viral Incident: “She Smells Really Bad”
A. The Rouen Encounter with Harriet Dart
Boisson’s rise to unexpected fame began in April 2025 during a lower-tier ITF clay-court event in Rouen, France. Facing Britain’s Harriet Dart in straight sets, Boisson had not been making headlines for her performance on court. Instead, the match took a detour into the realm of social media when Dart, frustrated by her opponent’s play, complained to the chair umpire: “Can you tell her (Boisson) to wear deodorant because she smells really bad?” The remark, broadcast live, immediately sparked outrage among tennis fans worldwide. Clips of Dart’s comment circulated across Twitter and TikTok, accompanied by scathing rebukes: many accused Dart of unsportsmanlike behavior, sexism, and body-shaming.
B. Public Backlash and Boisson’s Response
Rather than retreat into embarrassment, Boisson handled the incident with grace and humor. In post-match interviews, she smiled and quipped about her “aromatic aroma,” even making light of social media jokes. Meanwhile, Dart issued a prompt apology on Twitter, acknowledging her comment was “inappropriate” and “hurtful.” While Dart’s social media channels were flooded with criticism, Boisson’s professionalism and self-deprecation earned her waves of public support—and sympathy for having been singled out unfairly. Tennis commentator Mary Carillo summed up the sentiment: “No player deserves that kind of scrutiny over personal hygiene. Boisson turned a negative moment into a lesson in poise.”
II. Early Career and Setbacks: The Road to Roland Garros
A. Junior Success and Professional Transition
Born on January 15, 2003, in Montpellier, South of France, Lois Boisson began playing tennis at age five at a local club. Her junior career featured moderate success: she reached the round of 16 at the 2019 French Open girls’ singles, showcasing a tenacious clay-court game—heavy topspin, quick footwork, and an improving one-handed backhand slice. Turning professional in 2020, Boisson initially competed on the ITF Women’s Circuit, with sporadic main-draw appearances at WTA 125 events. By late 2022, her WTA ranking hovered around No. 500, leaving little indication she would one day challenge the world’s elite.
B. The Devastating Knee Injury
Disaster struck in May 2023, just weeks before Roland Garros. Boisson had earned a wildcard into the French Open qualifying draw, a dream come true for any young French player. But during a training session in Paris, she landed awkwardly after a heavy topspin backhand and ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Surgery followed, and Boisson was sidelined for nine months—missing the entirety of the 2023 U.S. hardcourt swing, the Asian indoor circuit, and the 2024 Australian Open. The rehabilitation process tested her resolve: months of physiotherapy, strength training, and mental conditioning. By January 2024, she resumed hitting volleys; by March, she was back on clay—though still months away from match fitness.
C. Climbing Back into Relevance
Upon her return, Boisson spent the rest of 2024 rebuilding her ranking on the ITF Circuit. She captured a pair of $25,000 titles in Spain and Austria in October 2024, boosting her ranking to around No. 420. Entering early 2025, she showed signs of recaptured form, reaching the semi-finals of a $60,000 clay-court event in Marrakech. But outside the inner circles of tennis-scouting, she remained largely unknown—a name in small print on draws, rather than a household contender. That changed when she received a wildcard into the 2025 French Open main draw. Suddenly, all eyes were on the French teenager who had seemingly vanished into the injury vortex.
III. Roland Garros 2025: A Tournament of Disappointments for France
A. Early Rounds and French Hopes
French tennis fans began the 2025 French Open with cautious optimism. Men’s veterans like Gaël Monfils, Adrian Mannarino, and Ugo Humbert had been projected to carry the home hopes, while young talents such as Holger Rune (dual citizenship) added intrigue. On the women’s side, seasoned clay-courters Kristina Mladenovic and Alizé Cornet were expected to make noise. But the first week produced few French fireworks. Monfils, hampered by recurring hamstring issues, bowed out in the first round. Mladenovic fell to a tenacious qualifier. In the Women’s Singles, reigning Roland Garros finalist Ons Jabeur, the top seed, succumbed to a third-round upset. By the Round of 16, only three French players—Benoît Paire in the men’s draw and Alexia Demans (in doubles) in the women’s—remained.
B. The Atmosphere of Discontent
As exits piled up, French crowds grew restless. On Philippe-Chatrier’s red clay, spectators chanted for any home hope, but the atmosphere was deflated. French media outlets lamented another Grand Slam without a local champion. President of the French Tennis Federation, Éric Chevallier, voiced concern that Roland Garros risked losing its “Gallic soul” if no French player made a deep run. Into this void stepped Lois Boisson—an unheralded wildcard yet to win a tour-level match, suddenly infused with unlikely national significance.
IV. The Match of Her Life: Upsetting Jessica Pegula
A. Pre-Match Context
Entering Roland Garros, American star Jessica Pegula carried the burden of recent consistency: a runner-up finish at the 2022 U.S. Open and a top-10 ranking since mid-2022. Known for her aggressive baseline game and mental resilience, Pegula was pegged as a semifinal contender. Her path on the bandaged right ankle—sustained during early-season clay events—had been marked by two straight-set wins. In contrast, Boisson had endured a three-set battle just to reach the second round, saving two match points against another qualifier. As the 3 versus 361 matchup took shape, oddsmakers installed Pegula as a 10-1 favorite. Few gave Boisson a chance, but those in the know remembered her clay pedigree and recent resurgence.
B. First Set—Pegula’s Authority
In a slightly overcast afternoon, the match began with Boisson appearing tentative. Pegula unleashed forehand winners to open a 2-0 lead. Boisson’s backhand, still somewhat tentative after long layoff with injury, sat up occasionally, allowing Pegula to dictate rallies. Pegula broke serve for a 4-1 advantage and served out the set 6-3. Francesca Schiavone, broadcasting for Eurosport, remarked, “Pegula’s precision out wide is exploiting Boisson’s defensive gaps. She needs to find her aggression quickly.”
C. Second Set—Boisson’s Resurgence
After winning only 22 percent of the first-set points, Boisson generated renewed energy. On the changeover, she took a towel, closed her eyes, and seemed to reconcentrate. The second set began with high-intensity rallies: Boisson’s forehand found corners, while her low slicing backhand neutralized Pegula’s pace. In the fourth game, Boisson broke Pegula’s serve at 30-30, levelling 3-3. The French wildcard rode the crowd’s fervor—encouraged by chants of “Allez, Lois!”—to hold serve convincingly. At 5-4, Boisson unleashed a stinging forehand approach to break Pegula again, taking the set 6-4. Court Philippe-Chatrier erupted, the crowd sensing an upset in the making.
D. Third Set—Embracing the Moment
The decider began under blazing sunshine. Pegula, visibly frustrated, fumbled a service game at 2-1, gifting Boisson a break. Sensing the momentum, Boisson played aggressively on return games, venturing to the net to finish points. In the sixth game, leading 4-1, Boisson faced a break point but saved it with a dazzling drop shot. Pegula held to make it 4-2, but the rally lasted nearly 25 strokes—evidence Boisson’s fitness had returned after her ACL rehabilitation. At 5-4, Boisson served for the match. On championship point, she dumped a backhand down the line, Pegula ran it down but netted an error. Boisson fell to her knees, tears of relief streaming down her face. The scoreboard flashed 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. In that moment, Boisson had single-handedly revitalized French spirits at Roland Garros.
V. Reaction and Significance
A. On-Court Embrace and Media Frenzy
After the match, Pegula applauded Boisson’s performance, offering a gracious post-match handshake. Dressed in the French tricolor hoodie, Boisson addressed journalists: “I gave my all, and I felt the support of everyone here. I have dreamed of this since I was a child.” The press conference was inundated with questions about her viral “smell” comment. Boisson politely deflected, focusing instead on her months of rehabilitation and her gratitude for a second chance on clay. French newspapers splashed headlines: “Boisson, la nouvelle protégée de Paris” (“Boisson, Paris’s New Favourite”) and “L’Incroyable Ascension de Lois” (“Lois’s Incredible Rise”).
B. Prize Money and Ranking Implications
Reaching the quarter-finals at Roland Garros carries a prize of €650,000, plus an additional €100,000 in bonuses for wildcards—totaling approximately US $780,000. For a player accustomed to modest ITF earnings of around $1,000 per tournament win, this windfall is life-changing. Equally transformative is the ranking bump: Boisson will leap from No. 361 to approximately No. 80, ensuring direct entry into main draws at tour-level events and Grand Slams for the remainder of the season. Agent inquiries, endorsement deals, and appearance fees will follow—solidifying Boisson’s transition from wildcard underdog to rising star.
C. Enduring Impact on French Tennis
Boisson’s victory arrives at a nadir for French tennis, which has not produced a home finalist at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah’s 1983 men’s title. In the women’s draw, French players had suffered early exits—a bitter streak stretching back to Amélie Mauresmo’s 2006 semi-final run. Boisson’s run restores hope: the Fédération Française de Tennis announced a “Boisson Effect” initiative, aiming to promote tennis participation among young girls nationwide by spotlighting her as a role model. Local clubs in Bordeaux, Lyon, and Toulouse reported surges in junior membership inquiries—many citing Boisson’s “incredible spirit.”
VI. Next Up: A Clash with Mirra Andreeva
A. Previewing the Quarter-Final Opponent
Boisson’s reward is a quarter-final date with 17-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva, seeded sixth. Andreeva, hailing from Moscow, has already savoured a breakout run at the 2025 Australian Open—reaching the fourth round at age 16. Her game is hallmarked by explosive groundstrokes, particularly a flat, powerful forehand, and an uncanny ability to redirect pace. In the Round of 16, she dispatched Australia’s Daria Kasatkina, herself a former top-10 player, 6-3, 7-5 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Betting markets place Andreeva as a marginal favorite—yet few expect Boisson to shudder under pressure at Chatrier’s cauldron.
B. Tactical Challenges for Boisson
To prevail, Boisson must tame Andreeva’s serve, which regularly clocks near 120 mph (195 km/h). Her plan will likely entail:
- Early Return Positioning: Poach aggressively, forcing Andreeva to adjust serve placement.
- Neutralizing the Inside-Out Forehand: Employ consistent backhand depth to keep Andreeva from stepping around for free forehand winners.
- Varied Pace: Mix low slices and drop shots—especially on Andreeva’s second serve—to undermine her rhythm.
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If Boisson’s legs hold up and her serve remains steady—averaging 65 percent first-serve accuracy—she stands a genuine chance of extending her fairy tale to the semi-finals, where she might face either top seed Aryna Sabalenka or China’s Zheng Qinwen.
VII. Other Notable Performances on Monday
A. Coco Gauff’s Commanding Win
Earlier on Chatrier, world No. 2 Coco Gauff delivered a polished performance to dismiss Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 7-5. Gauff, the 2022 finalist, combined lockdown defense with strategic forays to the net. Her 38 winners dwarfed Alexandrova’s 14, illustrating why Gauff looms as a tournament favorite. Up next is fellow American Madison Keys, who secured a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Hailey Baptiste. The all-American quarter-final promises power tennis and big serves under the evening lights.
B. Men’s Singles Update
On the men’s side, second seed Daniil Medvedev overcame a shaky first set against Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker, prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Medvedev’s ability to absorb pace and redirect winners bodes well as he gears up to face emerging Argentinian Francisco Cerúndolo in the quarters. Meanwhile, fifth seed Carlos Alcaraz battled past Argentine Sebastian Báez 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-3—a reminder that the men’s draw remains stacked despite top seed Jannik Sinner’s surprising third-round exit to Belgian qualifier David Goffin.
VIII. The Broader Significance: A Turning Point for Underdogs
A. Reinforcing the Wildcard Narrative
Wildcards often function as goodwill gestures—opportunities for promising juniors or veteran locals to compete at home. Rarely do they reconfigure tournaments. Notable exceptions include Goran Ivanišević’s 2001 men’s title at Wimbledon as a wildcard. Now Boisson joins that rarified company. By advancing from wildcard directly into the quarter-finals, she underscores that rankings—while useful—do not always reflect potential, especially on favored surfaces. Boisson’s clay-court expertise, honed since childhood on French red-dirt, has outmatched pedigree.
B. Inspiring a Generation
Beyond prize money and ranking points, Boisson’s run resonates culturally. In a sport acclaimed for its demands—both physical and financial—her comeback from injury and triumph over a top-3 seed offers a blueprint for perseverance. French juniors across Tennis Avenir academies are glued to their televisions, scribbling Boisson’s name on notebooks. She represents grit, humbleness, and the power of national support. As Patrick Mouratoglou, coach to Serena Williams, remarked on Eurosport: “This is exactly why we love the Grand Slams. Here, magic can happen. Boisson’s story reminds us that even the lowest-ranked players can have their day in the sun.”
C. Financial Windfall and Career Implications
Qualifying for the quarter-finals instantly clears Boisson’s entire career earnings—estimated previously at around US $75,000 from ITF events alone. Now, with roughly US $780,000 in prize money pending, she can invest in enhanced coaching, sports science support, and travel expenses for the WTA tour. Sponsors will flock with bonus clauses and apparel deals. More importantly, she gains direct entry into forthcoming Clay Masters 1000 events—Madrid, Rome—where deep runs could vault her into the top 50 by summer’s end. That ranking will obviate the need for wildcards or qualifiers, granting more freedom to plan a sustainable season.
IX. Looking Ahead: Potential Paths and Challenges
A. Quarter-Final Preview: Boisson vs. Andreeva
Monday’s quarter-final is slated for 2:00 pm at Philippe-Chatrier. With an estimated 15,000 spectators expected, Boisson must harness nerves and crowd expectations. Given Andreeva’s ascendant trajectory, betting markets favor the Russian teenager, but clay-court specialists—like compatriot Rafael Nadal—have long preached that youth and power can be contained by guile and consistency. If Boisson breaks early and secures a two-set lead, she might emulate Iga Świątek’s tactical mold: neutralize power, lure errors, and hold serve under duress. Her ability to handle Andreeva’s blistering crosscourt forehands will prove pivotal.
B. Possible Semi-Final Scenarios
Should Boisson advance, she will likely face either top seed Aryna Sabalenka—riding a 22-match win streak on clay—or China’s 11th seed Zheng Qinwen, a rising star in her own right. Both possess heavy hitting and court coverage; Sabalenka’s serve alone wins nearly 65 percent of points on first delivery, while Zheng uses a wide forehand to open up angles. For Boisson, a semifinal berth would require mastery of serve, selective aggression, and mental toughness—qualities she has displayed in spades thus far.
C. Beyond 2025: A Glimpse into Boisson’s Potential Legacy
Roland Garros quarter-finalists often parlay that success into sustained careers. Examples include 2015 quarter-finalist Madison Keys—who went on to become a top-10 fixture—and 2018 quarter-finalist Danielle Collins, who rose to world No. 7. Boisson’s clay prowess, combined with improved fitness and coaching options now within reach, suggests she could carve a stable place inside the WTA top 30. Strong results on North American hard courts in summer could further diversify her game. With national media adulation behind her, sponsorships from French fashion houses and tennis equipment brands may redefine her off-court trajectory, much like Tatiana Golovin before her retirement.
X. The Broader Landscape at Roland Garros 2025
A. Men’s Draw Turmoil
While Boisson’s story dominates headlines, the men’s draw has seen its share of drama. Top seed Jannik Sinner’s unexpected third-round exit to qualifier David Goffin paved the way for underdogs like Francisco Cerúndolo and Alexander Bublik to advance. Novak Djokovic, a three-time Roland Garros champion, has navigated a tough draw—combining baseline resilience with net forays to overcome Karen Khachanov in five sets. But persistent elbow soreness threatens his participation in the quarters. Should Djokovic withdraw, the path to the final widens for second seed Daniil Medvedev and third seed Andrey Rublev.
B. Women’s Draw Narrative
On the women’s side, Iga Świątek, the reigning champion, has breezed through early rounds with aggressive court positioning and devastating topspin, defeating Gillian Welsch 6-2, 6-2 in her fourth-round match. However, her quarter-final opponent—10th seed Petra Kvitová—offers a powerful lefty challenge and the potential for an upset. Meanwhile, third seed Aryna Sabalenka fell to Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a semi-classic on Suzanne Lenglen, underscoring the depths of the women’s game. In this context, Boisson’s ascent stands out for its pure underdog appeal.
XI. Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Boisson and French Tennis
Lois Boisson’s journey from viral ignominy to Grand Slam quarter-finalist epitomizes the unpredictable magic of tennis. In a single match, she rewrote her narrative—transforming an off-court anecdote about personal hygiene into a saga of grit, resilience, and national pride. That a player ranked No. 361 could dispatch a top-3 seed at Roland Garros is rare, yet it also underscores an enduring truth: on the red clay of Paris, opportunities exist for those who persevere.
For Boisson, Monday’s victory is more than a payday of US $780,000—it is a validation of years of struggle, rehabilitation, and self-belief. As she prepares to face Mirra Andreeva, the world watches to see if Cinderella can dance one step further. Regardless of her ultimate result, Boisson has already secured a place in French tennis lore, rekindling local fervor and inspiring a new generation. As tennis pundits and fans debate whether her run will culminate in a semifinal berth—or even further—the larger story is already set: a wildcard from Montpellier has reminded everyone why Roland Garros remains a tournament of dreams. Whether she triumphs or falls, Lois Boisson’s odyssey from “the player who smells really bad” to headline-grabbing sensation is a testament to sport’s power to transform reputations, uplift spirits, and unite nations.
