Lois Boisson walked onto Court Philippe-Chatrier earlier as we speak 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 courtroom a nationwide hero and a half-millionaire. With her surprising 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory, Boisson did not simply pull off one of many greatest upsets in French Open historical past. She greater than tripled her profession prize cash in a single afternoon.
Before the match, Boisson’s whole 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’s going to stroll away with a minimum of $1,449,228. And if the Cinderella run continues all the best way to a championship, Boisson would take dwelling the match’s prime prize of $2,897,947. That can be roughly 20 instances her whole lifetime earnings earlier than this week.
(Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi through Getty Images)
From $462 Paydays to Prime Time Glory
Boisson’s journey to this second is as unbelievable because the win itself. One 12 months in the past, she wasn’t even certain 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 lodges, 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 as we speak. She had by no means performed on Roland-Garros’ major 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 Changed Everything
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. But match organizers took an opportunity on the French native, and that call has now paid off in historic style.
Boisson’s taking part in type proved significantly efficient on clay. Her high-bouncing topspin forehand stored Pegula off steadiness, and he or she confirmed nerves of metal within the ultimate set, changing a vital break after 4 tense makes an attempt. Pegula, who was a finalist eventually 12 months’s U.S. Open and a constant top-10 participant, admitted after the match that she did not capitalize on key alternatives.
Next Up: Mirra Andreeva
Standing between Boisson and the semifinals is teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old Russian who at the moment ranks #6 on the earth. Heading into the French Open, Mirra Andreeva’s profession prize cash stood at $5,639,551, inserting her among the many prime 150 all-time WTA earners at simply 18 years outdated.
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.
But 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 some of the surprising Grand Slam champions in fashionable tennis historical past. And she can be doing all of it in entrance of a roaring dwelling crowd. A true Cinderella sports activities story.
