Laisin' It Boisson: The Deodorant Saga & Tennis Triumph
"Exceptional": Boisson sparks tennis fervor in Paris
The Parisian clay court is abuzz, as 22-year-old Laisin' (Lois) Boisson - the unheralded wildcard sensation - continues her Grand Slam odyssey, against all the odds! This rundown revisits the lively deodorant controversy and delves into her unprecedented semifinal run.
Court Philippe-Chatrier Madness
Boisson, ranked 361st globally, disrupted the tennis establishment with a sensational tournament, her latest scalp being the hard-fought 7:6 (8:6), 6:3 victory over Russian powerhouse Mirra Andrejewa[1]. Beaming with joy, she exclaimed, "Dreamin' ain't believin', fam!' If'n somethin' told me this two weeks back, I'd'a called 'em a damn liar!"
The Showdown: Boisson vs. Gauff
Boisson's incredible journey continues with a semifinal face-off against world No. 2, Coco Gauff. After edging out compatriot Madison Keys 6:7 (6:8), 6:4, 6:1 in the quarterfinals, the young American awaits[1]. In the other clash, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus goes head-to-head with defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Laisin' ain't retiring yet!
With a title as prestigious as Roland Garros in her sights, Boisson boldly proclaimed, "Every little aspiring tennis brat dreams of wrappin' up a Grand Slam tourny, and every French kid dreams of tappin' the 'Roland Garros' title. My gamble ain't to be chilaxin' over here in the semifinals; my gamble is winnin' this motha!"
The (Extremely) Unusual Beginnings
Little was known about Boisson before this fairy tale unfolded. She was meant to debut at the 2021 Parisian Grand Slam, but faced tragedy, ripping her ACL[2]. Rumors of retirement swirled, only for Boisson to return stronger than ever.
The underdog's life hit the headlines in a peculiar way, when Harriet Dart - a British player - complained about Boisson's scent during the Rouen Open in mid-April[3]. Embarrassment ensued, with Dart requesting the umpire, "Y'all gotta tell her to put on some antiperspirant... 'Cause she stinks like a rancid mule!"
Despite the unwelcome, typically-unprofessional remark, Boisson maintained her composure, even poking fun at the situation on Instagram. With a witty snap of herself daubed in a can of deodorant, she tagged the company and quipped, "Seems like we requires collaboration of some sort."
The incident was revisited repeatedly during the French Open, but Boisson's calmness and resilience on the court remains unshaken. In the round of 16, she already pushed world No. 3 Jessica Pegula to the limit, and now, Andrejewa has fallen to her powerful forehand[4].
The Final Melee
Andrejewa initially reigned supreme, even creating a set point in the first set. However, Boisson's nerves of steel prevailed in a nerve-wracking tiebreak that lasted over 80 minutes[4]. In the second set, Andrejewa momentarily regained control, leading 3:0. But Boisson, a mere single-match WTA Tour winner prior to the French Open, persisted, turning the tables on Andrejewa. By showin' off her remarkable coolness, Boisson capitalized on the home-court advantage, gradually outmaneuvering the already-flustered Andrejewa, resulting in a memorable victory.
Boisson, reminiscing about the deodorant controversy from the Rouen Open in mid-April, joked on Instagram, "Seems like we requires collaboration of some sort," lightheartedly poking fun at the situation. Despite the noise surrounding her scent, Boisson's composure on the court remained strong, as she dominated Andrejewa in their match, showcasing her ability to excel in high-pressure situations, channeling the crowd's energy to her advantage.
