Jim Courier points out what is different about Lois Boisson and Emma Raducanu after her shock French Open run

Jim Courier Highlights Key Differences Between Lois Boisson’s and Emma Raducanu’s Breakthrough Runs

Jim Courier, a four-time Grand Slam champion, provided a detailed comparison between the meteoric rise of French wildcard Lois Boisson at the 2025 French Open and Emma Raducanu’s historic 2021 US Open triumph, emphasizing their distinct paths to stardom. Boisson, ranked No. 361, stunned the tennis world by reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals, defeating top players like No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6 Mirra Andreeva. Courier, speaking to Tennishead.net, noted that Boisson’s run was “completely out of the blue,” contrasting it with Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory, where she had already shown promise by reaching Wimbledon’s fourth round earlier that year.[](https://tennishead.net/jim-courier-points-out-what-is-different-about-lois-boisson-and-emma-raducanu-after-her-shock-french-open-run/)

Courier highlighted that Raducanu, at 18, had played “pressure matches” before her US Open win, giving her some experience in high-stakes environments. Boisson, however, had no such prior exposure, with only one WTA Tour match win (against Harriet Dart in Rouen) before her 2025 French Open campaign. “Emma had been on the scene and played some pressure matches. This is so impressive [Boisson] is able to manage the moment and not beat herself,” Courier said, praising Boisson’s ability to handle the overwhelming occasion despite her lack of top-tier experience.[](https://tennishead.net/jim-courier-points-out-what-is-different-about-lois-boisson-and-emma-raducanu-after-her-shock-french-open-run/)

Boisson’s journey was marked by resilience, overcoming a 2024 ACL injury that sidelined her for nine months. Her semi-final run, the first by a women’s wildcard in the Open Era at Roland Garros, earned her €650,000 and a ranking surge to No. 65, quadrupling her career earnings of $148,500. Raducanu’s US Open win, while equally shocking, came after a more gradual ascent, with her ranking at No. 150 and prior WTA exposure. Courier emphasized Boisson’s mental fortitude, noting her ability to avoid self-inflicted errors under pressure, unlike Raducanu, who had built some confidence from earlier successes.[]

While both players achieved improbable Grand Slam runs, Courier underscored Boisson’s lack of prior high-level matches as the defining difference, making her 2025 French Open performance a singular Cinderella story. Boisson’s next challenge is Coco Gauff in the semi-finals, where she aims to continue defying expectations.