Loïs Boisson is the youngest French woman in the semi -finals of the French Open since Amelie Mauresmo in 1999. On the way there, the audience, a fearless game and the concentration on the essentials helped her.
A flat lonely place can also be the 15,000 people, especially when this space of the Court is Philippe Chatrier, the largest place at the French Open. The next big name had to experience that. Because the Mirra Andreeva, which was considered to be overstalent and started as a very clear favorite, had to bow on Wednesday in the quarter -finals of the French woman Loïs Boisson, which was completely unknown up to this tournament. Loïs with two points above the I: LO-IS.
The audience, in Paris anyway, never suspicious of neutrality, especially when it comes to cheering on a compatriot or a compatriot, was completely uninhibited on this wet and cold afternoon, under the closed roof of the stadium. It turned one of the world’s largest tennis courts to the lonely possible place for Andreeva.
In the course of the two hours, it lost its nerves. At the end, Andreeva drogs a ball on the stands with tears in the eyes, complimented in between parts of her attachment out of the box and ultimately seemed almost happy that the match was over. In the meantime, Boisson, listed at number 361 of the world rankings, came to an end with a stoic face and impressive tennis.
Historical Semi-finals
Boisson stood in front of a microphone in the middle of the court a few minutes after the life -changing triumph. In the winner’s interview with the currently injured colleague and interviewer Lucas Pouille, she spoke quietly. Boisson wiped the sand back and forth under her feet. As if she wanted to eliminate the traces of her greatest triumph unobtrusively. Exactly these feet had carried them to a piece of tennis history. Because Loïs Boisson, 22 years old, is only the third player who advanced to the semi-finals at her Grand Slam debut.
Loïs Boisson sinks on the ground after the sensational move into the semi -finals
The other two players? Monica Seles in 1989 and Jennifer Capriati in 1990. Seles and Capriati were great promises for the future at that time. Everyone knew: Seles and Capriati have what it takes to win the number 1, to win Grand slams. Boisson had also been seen as a talent. But a Grand Slam semi-final? You could wish for a lot, but nobody had expected such a debut.
“I don’t look at social media”
Boisson still spoke very quietly at the press conference in the basement of the Court Chatrier, two hours after the match. Again and again the word focus was on. Almost summarized she said: “I stay in my zone. I focus on the tournament and don’t think about what is going on around me. I also don’t look at social media. I do that after the tournament.“
However, the goals are, although pronounced quietly, the highest, Boisson made it clear: “Every child dreams of winning a Grand Slam tournament when it starts with the tennis. And we French dream of winning Roland Garros. I also dreamed of winning a Grand Slam.“
Boisson went viral with deodorant slat
Actually, the 22-year-old was supposed to get a wild card for her home grand slam last year. But shortly before the tournament start, the cruciate ligament tore her, the obvious ascent in the world rankings at the time was interrupted from now on. Shortly before, Boisson had won a certain level of attention with a winning streak of 18 matches, all of them at smaller tournaments on the ITF tour. But not that the public really got some of it.
It only existed in April of this year, but without Boisson could do something for it. In her very first match at WTA level, she competed in Rouen against British Harriet Dart. At a change of sides, the referee asked Dart to align Boisson that this requested a deodorant. She doesn’t smell well. The clip of this scene went viral, Boisson countered the much criticized insolence of her opponent later, in which she proposed a collaboration on Instagram.
Out of nowhere on the world stage
The olfactory headlines have finally given way to the sporty. This Wednesday everyone saw what Boisson can do: she is extremely athletic, builds up her game for a very good serve and a powerful forehand. On the slow surface at the French Open, this massive blow is so effective that many opponents have to play far behind the baseline in an unusual position. Boisson, on the other hand, only uses her backhand in an emergency, she trusts her own strength too much on the forehand.
On Thursday, Boisson is now going against Coco Gauff. It is only 21 years old, but has already played many matches in a heated atmosphere and always kept their nerves. However, she will also be able to use it on Thursday. The spectators will certainly ensure that the Court Philippe Chatrier will also be a very lonely place for her semi-final opponent.