Coco Gauff has revealed that she’s drawing inspiration from Carlos Alcaraz as she heads into her French Open semi-final showdown with France’s own Lois Boisson. The American star is set to face not only a surging underdog but also a roaring home crowd. Here’s a look at Gauff’s inspiration, her opponent, and what to expect from this exciting match.
Gauff Inspired by Alcaraz’s Joyful Approach
Following her quarter-final victory over Madison Keys, Coco Gauff spoke about how she’s been inspired by Carlos Alcaraz’s attitude on and off the court. The 21-year-old Gauff admitted she hasn’t seen Alcaraz’s documentary series, but she’s heard about his philosophy of enjoying life and bringing that joy to the court.
“After Carlos’ documentary, which I haven’t seen but have heard a lot about, I’m trying to get out of my tennis bubble more and enjoy life,” Gauff said. “I actually told Carlos that I want to try to enjoy myself more on the court and smile as much as he does.” She added, “Overall, I’m enjoying life more. I think he has a great philosophy, and it’s something I’m trying to draw inspiration from. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to smile as much as him on the court.”
Gauff has recognized that she spent too much time “locked in” and is now trying to incorporate more “normal” things into her life. She aims to emulate Alcaraz’s mindset of prioritizing happiness and viewing tennis as a game to be enjoyed.
Gauff’s Competitive Spirit
Despite seeking to emulate Alcaraz’s joyful approach, Gauff’s inherent competitiveness remains a driving force. “I’m very competitive in all aspects of life, and my philosophy is to leave it all on the court, and if I lose, then the loss will be less painful than if I hadn’t given it my all,” she emphasized. She also draws inspiration from other sports legends like Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Serena Williams.
Tactical Changes Against Keys
In her quarter-final match against Madison Keys, Gauff displayed her adaptability by making a crucial tactical adjustment. “I wasn’t feeling the ball well at the start of the match, so I changed the string tension. From the moment I did that, my game improved, and mentally, I felt calmer,” she explained. She also acknowledged that she needs to continue working on her serve, which has been a challenge during the tournament.
Lois Boisson: The Hometown Hero
Coco Gauff’s semi-final opponent, Lois Boisson, has become the story of the tournament. Ranked No. 361 in the world, the 22-year-old Frenchwoman is making her Grand Slam debut and has captivated the home crowd with her incredible run.
A Wildcard’s Dream Run
Boisson’s path to the semi-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. As a wildcard entrant, she has defeated three seeded players, including No. 24 Elise Mertens, No. 3 Jessica Pegula, and No. 6 Mirra Andreeva. Her quarter-final victory over Andreeva was particularly impressive, as she rallied from a break down twice in the first set and saved a set point to win the tie-break.
“It was incredible to play in front of this crowd and feel support like that,” Boisson said after her win against Andreeva.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Boisson’s semi-final appearance marks several historic achievements:
- She is the lowest-ranked women’s Grand Slam semi-finalist in the last 40 years (excluding unranked players).
- She is the first wildcard to reach the women’s semi-finals at Roland Garros in the Open Era.
- She is the third woman since 1980 to reach the semi-finals on her Grand Slam debut, joining Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati.
- She is the first Frenchwoman to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals since Marion Bartoli in 2011.
A True Clay Court Player
Boisson is known for her classic clay-court game, combining power and craft. She grew up playing on the red dirt and is comfortable utilizing drop shots and generating sharp angles.
Overcoming Injury
Boisson’s journey has been made even more inspiring by the fact that she missed last year’s French Open due to a torn ACL. Her comeback and success this year have resonated with fans and made her a popular figure in Paris.
Match Preview: Gauff vs. Boisson
The semi-final match between Coco Gauff and Lois Boisson promises to be a thrilling contest with several compelling storylines:
- Gauff’s Experience vs. Boisson’s Momentum: Gauff, a former US Open champion and French Open finalist, has more experience on the big stage. However, Boisson is riding a wave of momentum and has the unwavering support of the home crowd.
- Gauff’s Power vs. Boisson’s Craft: Gauff’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game will be tested by Boisson’s variety and clay-court expertise.
- The Crowd Factor: Gauff will need to manage the partisan crowd and prevent it from becoming a distraction. She has experience playing in similar environments, having faced local favorites in Rome and Paris before. “I have some experience playing against a crowd that maybe is not rooting for you. It’s something I’m looking forward to,” Gauff said. She also stated she would pretend that the crowd “are cheering for me.”
- Boisson’s Forehand: Boisson’s forehand is a major weapon, but her tendency to run around the ball to hit it can leave the court open for Gauff to exploit.
- Gauff’s Serve: Gauff’s serve has been inconsistent throughout the tournament, and she will need to improve it against Boisson.
Expert Predictions
Many experts are predicting Coco Gauff to win the match, but they acknowledge the challenge she faces against Boisson and the crowd.
- Sportskeeda predicts Gauff to win in three sets, noting that her experience and tenacity could see her through to the final.
- SportyTrader predicts Gauff to win in straight sets, highlighting her strong record on clay this year.
- VAVEL also predicts Gauff to win in three sets, emphasizing the need for her to limit double faults and forehand errors.
Boisson’s Rise in Rankings
Regardless of the outcome of the match, Lois Boisson’s performance at the French Open will significantly boost her WTA ranking. She has already climbed from No. 361 to a live ranking of No. 65. If she reaches the final, she would move into the top 35. She is also set to become the new French No. 1.
Gauff’s 2025 Season So Far
Coco Gauff has had a strong 2025 season, including:
- Winning the United Cup
- Reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open
- Making it to the finals in Rome and Madrid
She has won nine career singles titles, including the 2023 US Open and the 2024 WTA Finals, and nine doubles titles, including the 2024 French Open.
In Conclusion
Coco Gauff’s quest for a second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open continues with a semi-final match against the Cinderella story of the tournament, Lois Boisson. Gauff’s inspired mindset, combined with her experience and skill, will be put to the test against Boisson’s momentum and the energy of the French crowd. Tennis fans around the world will be watching to see if Gauff can advance to her second French Open final or if Boisson’s dream run will continue.
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