Lois Boisson walked onto Court docket Philippe-Chatrier earlier at this time as a digital unknown. Ranked No. 361 on the earth, the 22-year-old French wild card was given no practical shot towards her fourth-round opponent, Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 participant on the earth.
Two and a half hours later, Boisson walked off the court docket a nationwide hero and a half-millionaire. Together with her surprising 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory, Boisson did not simply pull off one of many largest upsets in French Open historical past. She greater than tripled her profession prize cash in a single afternoon.
Earlier than the match, Boisson’s complete profession earnings stood at simply $148,009. By reaching the quarterfinals, she is now assured a payday of $500,284. If she beats 18-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva within the subsequent spherical, she is going to stroll away with not less than $1,449,228. And if the Cinderella run continues all the best way to a championship, Boisson would take house the event’s high prize of $2,897,947. That will be roughly 20 instances her complete lifetime earnings earlier than this week.
From $462 Paydays to Prime Time Glory
Boisson’s journey to this second is as inconceivable because the win itself. One yr in the past, she wasn’t even positive she would play skilled tennis once more. A torn knee ligament simply earlier than the 2024 French Open left her sidelined and unsure. When she did return, she needed to grind her method via the tennis wilderness. She entered low-level tournaments, stayed in low-cost inns, and performed for modest paydays. In February, she left a minor occasion in Manchester with $462 in prize cash.
She had by no means performed a top-20 opponent earlier than at this time. She had by no means performed on Roland-Garros’ important stage. And but, with the house crowd roaring behind her, she seized the most important second of her younger profession. The win made Boisson the lowest-ranked girl to succeed in a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Kaia Kanepi on the 2017 U.S. Open.
The Wild Card That Modified The whole lot
Boisson would not even be within the French Open if not for a wild card. Her world rating of 361 was far too low to qualify for the primary draw outright. However event organizers took an opportunity on the French native, and that call has now paid off in historic style.
Boisson’s enjoying type proved significantly efficient on clay. Her high-bouncing topspin forehand stored Pegula off stability, and he or she confirmed nerves of metal within the closing set, changing a vital break after 4 tense makes an attempt. Pegula, who was a finalist eventually yr’s U.S. Open and a constant top-10 participant, admitted after the match that she didn’t capitalize on key alternatives.
Subsequent Up: Mirra Andreeva
Standing between Boisson and the semifinals is teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old Russian who presently ranks #6 on the earth. Heading into the French Open, Mirra Andreeva’s profession prize cash stood at $5,639,551, putting her among the many high 150 all-time WTA earners at simply 18 years previous.
Mirra has had an extremely spectacular 2025 season, securing two WTA singles titles, together with victories on the Dubai Tennis Championship and the Indian Wells Open.
However Boisson now has the group, the momentum, and much more prize cash on the road.
A loss would nonetheless be the most important win of Boisson’s profession, financially and professionally. A win would push her earnings previous the $1.4 million mark and put her two matches away from changing into probably the most surprising Grand Slam champions in trendy tennis historical past. And he or she could be doing all of it in entrance of a roaring house crowd. A real Cinderella sports activities story.