The French star accused by Harriet Dart of being stinky is enjoying the sweet smell of success at her first Grand Slam. The British No.4 complained to the umpire about Lois Boisson at April’s Rouen Open and said: “Can you tell her to wear deodorant because she smells really bad?”
Dart later apologised – and Boisson joked she should get a sponsorship with Dove after her first and only WTA Tour win before Roland Garros. Now in Paris, Dart went out in qualifying while world No.361 Boisson is the only French singles player left after beating her fellow wildcard Elisa Jacquemont 6-3 0-6 7-5. “I’m really happy to be in the fourth round,” said Boisson, 22. “It’s really amazing to me, and I hope to continue”
Asked about the Dart incident, she said: “It was not difficult to deal with. It was okay. It was nothing for me. She maybe did a mistake. Then I joke about it, and that’s it. I didn’t hear during the match. I didn’t know what was happening, so I knew two hours later. It was okay for me. It was nothing.”
The young career of Boisson, 22, has seen her overcome bigger injury issues. She was out for 10 months with a right shoulder injury – and now has the word “RESILIENCE” tattooed there in capital letters. And just two weeks before what should have been her French Open debut last year, she ruptured ligaments in her left knee. She will now face world No.3 Jessica Pegula today (Monday).
It’s wonderful to have got to the second week here, especially when you look at what happened to me in the past,” she said. “It’s absolutely wonderful.
“We really feel that the crowd is with us when we are French. Also, today we were two French players, but we feel and hear the public behind us. So it’s really good to play in these conditions.”
Boisson had never reached the main draw of a Major after three previous attempts at Roland Garros, but already sent Elise Mertens, Anhelina Kalinina and Jacquemont packing last week.
The tennis gods, often cruel, appear to have favoured Boisson since her controversy with Dart. The Brit, meanwhile, has not won a WTA Tour match since complaining about her opponent’s personal hygiene.
Boisson was tipped to be a breakout star in Paris 12 months ago, having gone 31-7 on the ITF Tennis Tour. But an ACL tear cost her nine months of her career.
The injury still causes her discomfort and was evident in the second set against Jacquemont, which she lost 6-0. But Boisson is used to managing that pain and was able to rally and win in the decider.
Boisson entered the French Open as world No. 361 but will finish it inside the top 200, having won over a host of new fans ever since she was subjected to a nasty remark by Dart.
