A few weeks before her breakout run at Roland Garros, Loïs Boisson was the target of an unsportsmanlike remark that could have derailed a lesser player, but she turned the moment into fuel, winning match after match and climbing the rankings in a way few expected. Here’s the story of how a viral deodorant comment and a stunning French Open performance put this French tennis player in the spotlight.
Career-high singles ranking: No. 34 (February 2, 2026) ·
Date of birth: May 16, 2003 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Plays: Right-handed ·
WTA titles: 1 (2025 Hamburg WTA 125)
Quick snapshot
- Career-high ranking of No. 34 (WTA official) (WTA)
- Date of birth May 16, 2003 (Wikipedia)
- Won 2025 Hamburg WTA 125 (WTA)
- Played Coco Gauff in 2025 French Open fourth round (Le Monde)
- Harriet Dart commented on deodorant (The Washington Post)
- Exact details of the injury at the Australian Open – not confirmed by medical sources.
- Whether the deodorant comment was made on-court or off-court.
- The specific timeline of Boisson’s recovery from the Australian Open injury has not been publicly disclosed.
- April 2025: Dart’s deodorant comment at Rouen Open.
- June 2025: French Open fourth-round run, defeating Pegula.
- February 2026: Career-high ranking No. 34.
- Recovery from Australian Open injury.
- Potential to break into top 20 with consistent results.
Seven key facts, one pattern: a young player who turned controversy and injury into a rapid ranking surge.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Loïs Boisson |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 2003 |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Career-High Ranking | No. 34 (February 2, 2026) |
| WTA Titles | 1 (2025 Hamburg WTA 125) |
What happened to Lois Boisson?
Injury at the Australian Open
Boisson entered the 2026 season with promise but suffered an injury at the Australian Open that sidelined her. The exact nature of the injury remains undisclosed by medical sources, but it forced her to miss several tournaments and disrupted the French women’s team’s performance. (The Athletic)
Disappointing results for French women
During the early 2026 hard-court season, French women’s tennis struggled collectively. Boisson’s absence compounded the team’s difficulties, as she had been one of the rising stars. (USA Today)
Breakthrough run at Roland Garros
Just months earlier, in June 2025, Boisson had captivated the home crowd at the French Open. Entering the tournament ranked No. 361, she stunned world No. 3 Jessica Pegula on June 2, 2025, to reach the quarterfinals. (Le Monde) The run vaulted her into the top 60 by the end of the event. (The Athletic)
This pattern of turning controversy into motivation defined Boisson’s rise.
What gender is Lois Boisson?
Lois Boisson biography
Lois Boisson is a female professional tennis player from France, born on May 16, 2003. She competes on the WTA Tour and is represented by French tennis authorities. (Wikipedia)
Career highlights
- Career-high singles ranking: No. 34 (February 2, 2026) (WTA)
- First WTA 125 title: Hamburg, 2025 (WTA)
- French Open fourth round, 2025 (Le Monde)
The implication: Boisson’s rapid ascent from unranked to top 40 in under two years positions her as a leading figure in French women’s tennis.
Who told Lois Boisson to wear deodorant?
Harriet Dart’s comment
During a match at the Rouen Open on April 15, 2025, British player Harriet Dart was caught on a hot microphone asking the umpire to tell Boisson to wear deodorant. (The Washington Post) The comment was widely perceived as poor sportsmanship and went viral online.
Lois Boisson’s response
Boisson handled the situation with grace. She told The Athletic: “It was not challenging to handle… it was fine and nothing for me.” She also posted a lighthearted Instagram joke about Dove deodorant needing a collaboration. (Le Monde)
Boisson’s composed response turned a potential distraction into a PR win, showing mental toughness that later defined her French Open run.
Boisson’s response turned a potential negative into a positive narrative.
What did Lois Boisson say about Coco Gauff?
The French Open fourth-round match
In the fourth round of the 2025 French Open, Boisson faced Coco Gauff. Gauff ended Boisson’s run, advancing to the semifinals and eventually to the final. (Le Monde)
Boisson’s remarks on Gauff’s performance
After the match, Boisson praised Gauff’s level. She reportedly said that Gauff was “too good” on the day and that she would learn from the experience. (The Athletic)
Boisson’s loss to Gauff ended her fairy tale, but it also signaled that she could compete with the world’s best.
This match proved that Boisson could compete with the elite, despite the loss.
What was Harriet Dart’s complaint?
The deodorant comment itself
Harriet Dart’s complaint was captured on a hot microphone during the Rouen Open on April 15, 2025. She asked the umpire to tell Boisson to “wear deodorant.” (The Washington Post) The match ended 6-0, 6-3 in Boisson’s favor. (The Athletic)
Reaction from fans and media
The incident sparked widespread debate about sportsmanship. Dart later apologized, but the backlash was significant. (The Washington Post)
The deodorant comment, while unsportsmanlike, inadvertently put Boisson in the global spotlight weeks before her French Open breakthrough.
The incident ultimately boosted Boisson’s profile ahead of her French Open run.
Timeline
- : Lois Boisson born in France. (Wikipedia)
- : Won her first WTA 125 title in Hamburg. (WTA)
- : Reached fourth round of the French Open, lost to Coco Gauff. (Le Monde)
- : Harriet Dart’s deodorant comment during the Rouen Open. (The Washington Post)
- : Achieved career-high ranking of No. 34. (WTA)
- : Suffered injury at the Australian Open; French women’s team struggled. (The Athletic)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Career-high ranking of No. 34 (WTA official). (Wikipedia)
- Date of birth May 16, 2003 (Wikipedia). (Wikipedia)
- Won 2025 Hamburg WTA 125 (WTA). (WTA)
- Played Coco Gauff in 2025 French Open fourth round (Le Monde). (Le Monde)
- Harriet Dart commented on deodorant (Washington Post). (The Washington Post)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the injury at the Australian Open – not confirmed by medical sources.
- Whether the deodorant comment was made on-court or off-court.
- The specific timeline of Boisson’s recovery from the Australian Open injury has not been publicly disclosed.
Quotes
“It was not challenging to handle… it was fine and nothing for me.”
— Loïs Boisson, to The Athletic
“Tell her to wear deodorant.”
— Harriet Dart, caught on hot mic at the Rouen Open, reported by The Washington Post
For Boisson, the challenge now is to maintain her momentum while recovering from the Australian Open injury, or risk falling back into obscurity. The French tennis world is watching.
washingtonpost.com, nypost.com, lastwordonsports.com, usatoday.com, tennisuptodate.com, nytimes.com, tennisuptodate.com, tennis365.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Lois Boisson’s highest ranking?
No. 34, achieved on February 2, 2026. (WTA)
How many WTA titles has Lois Boisson won?
One WTA 125 title, at Hamburg in 2025. (WTA)
Did Lois Boisson play in the 2025 French Open?
Yes, she reached the fourth round, losing to Coco Gauff. (Le Monde)
Who is Lois Boisson’s coach?
Her current coach has not been publicly confirmed in major sources.
What nationality is Lois Boisson?
French.
Is Lois Boisson injured?
She suffered an undisclosed injury at the Australian Open in early 2026. (The Athletic)
What is Lois Boisson’s age?
She was born on May 16, 2003, making her 22 years old as of 2025.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Focus Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.