The Smelly French Girl Who Just Broke Tennis (And My Heart)

By Lewis Barnett 3 June, 2025 5 mins read 57 Views

Listen. I've been covering tennis for eight years, and I thought I'd seen everything.

Then Lois Boisson happened. World No. 361. A wildcard who probably couldn't afford decent deodorant two weeks ago – according to some British player who shall remain nameless (okay fine, it was Harriet Dart). And yesterday? She just took down Jessica Pegula, whose family could literally buy the entire French Open tournament and still have change for a yacht.

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When $5.5 Billion Meets Pure Chaos

The numbers are insane. Pegula's family net worth: over $5.5 billion. Boisson's career earnings before this tournament: £16,000. That's less than what Pegula probably spends on her racket strings in a year. Yet there she was on Court Philippe-Chatrier, coming back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in what can only be described as the tennis equivalent of David flinging a rock at Goliath's forehead.

Two hours and 40 minutes of pure, unfiltered drama.

My colleague texted me during the third set: "This is actually happening, right? I'm not hallucinating?" Neither of us could believe what we were watching. Poor Jessica looked like she wanted to disappear into the clay court itself.

The Deodorant Controversy That Started It All

Here's where it gets messy (and I mean that literally). Back in April – feels like a lifetime ago now – Boisson played Harriet Dart at some forgettable tournament in Rouen. Dart, in what has to be one of the most awkward post-match complaints in tennis history, basically said the French girl smelled bad during their match.

Can you imagine? You're 22, grinding it out on the lower-tier circuit, probably sharing hotel rooms to save money, and some player publicly calls you smelly. I felt awful for Boisson when that story broke.

Well, guess who's laughing now? With £370,000 in prize money from this run alone, she can buy enough deodorant to supply half of France. The irony is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife.

Making History While Everyone Watches

First French female wildcard to reach the Roland Garros quarters since Mary Pierce in 2002. That's 23 years. I was in middle school when Pierce did it.

Boisson's post-match interview was pure gold – you could see she was still processing what just happened. "I would not believe that if you told me this two weeks ago," she said, and honestly? Neither would any of us. The tennis world is weird like that sometimes. One day you're getting criticized for your hygiene, the next you're the darling of Paris taking down billionaires.

She thanked the French Tennis Federation for the wildcard, which... yeah, that's probably the best investment they've made in decades.

What Happens Next? (Spoiler: More Chaos)

Next up: Mirra Andreeva, the Russian No. 6 seed who just beat Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 7-5. Andreeva's good – really good – but momentum in tennis is everything. And right now, Boisson has the kind of momentum that moves mountains.

The crowd was going absolutely mental by the third set yesterday. Started with maybe a handful of supporters, ended with Philippe-Chatrier packed and roaring for their underdog. That's the kind of energy that can carry you places you never dreamed of reaching.

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys both won their matches in straight sets, setting up an all-American quarter-final that suddenly feels way less interesting than whatever magic Boisson might conjure up next.

Sometimes tennis gives you exactly what you need, even when you didn't know you needed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role is video analysis in training the best tennis players?

Video analysis can be a valuable tool to train and develop top tennis players. It is a great tool for reviewing technique, tactics and patterns of opponents. Coaches and players utilize video analysis to dissect strokes, pinpoint areas for improvement, and strategize against future opponents. It also aids in recognizing habits and tendencies that may go unnoticed during the heat of competition, enabling more targeted and efficient practice sessions.

How important is nutrition to becoming an elite tennis competitor?

Nutrition and diet are vital for any athlete aiming to perform at the highest level, and tennis players are no exception. Appropriate dietary intake supports intensive training by providing the necessary energy, facilitating recovery, and reducing the risk of injuries. The diet of an elite athlete is typically a mixture of carbohydrates and proteins with vitamins and essential minerals. Maintaining a fluid balance and preventing fatigue is also important.

What role do mental and emotional aspects play in tennis training?

Mental and psychological preparation is just as important as physical preparation in tennis. Players must learn stress management, how to maintain focus and how to deal with emotional highs and lowers during competition. Common practices include visualization, goal-setting, mental rehearsals and goal-setting. A sports psychologist can assist players in building resilience, developing coping strategies to deal with pressure, and elevating their mental game so that it matches their physical prowess.

Is it possible to become a tennis professional if you start late?

Although it's more difficult, it's not impossible to achieve professional status by starting tennis later in life. The success of an individual will be determined by their athletic ability, work ethics, dedication and the availability of quality coaching and competition. The path to professional status may be more difficult for late starters, as they will have to focus on intensive and focused training.

What does the daily training schedule of a top tennis player look like?

Tennis players have an intense and structured daily routine. The daily training regimen of a top tennis player is rigorous and meticulously structured. It includes many hours spent on the court, with a focus on technical drills. Aside from fitness training, players also engage in flexibility and recovery sessions, including stretching, massage or physiotherapy. Proper nutrition and psychological coaching are also integral components, ensuring athletes maintain peak performance both physically and mentally.

Statistics

Nutritionists report that a tennis player's diet should consist of about 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 20-25% fats during intense training periods.
Studies show that superior agility and speed among tennis players can reduce their reaction time by up to 30%, which is crucial during high-level matches.
Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player's tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.
Persistent mental training and sports psychology can help reduce performance anxiety by up to 60%, according to sports psychologists working with elite athletes.
Top tennis players typically train for 4 to 6 hours per day, divided between on-court practice and fitness training.

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How To

How to Create an Effective Tennis Warm-Up Routine

Tennis warm-ups should prepare you for competition by preparing your body and mind. Begin with 5-10 minutes of light cardiovascular exercise like jogging or jumping jacks to raise your heart rate and warm up your muscles. You can then move on to dynamic stretches, focusing primarily on your legs. arms, and torso, to improve flexibility without losing muscle strength. Use sport-specific movements to rehearse serves, volleys and groundstrokes. Practice agility drills for your footwork. Finish with short serves or short points to improve timing. A good warm-up will improve your performance as well as reduce the chance of injury.