American tennis star Coco Gauff is preparing mentally for the challenges she expects to face in the upcoming French Open semifinal against France’s Lois Boisson at Roland Garros. Acknowledging the difficulty of playing against a home favorite, Gauff expressed respect for Boisson’s strong run and recognized the pressure of a largely hostile crowd.
Gauff earned her place in the 2025 semifinal by defeating fellow American Madison Keys in a grueling three-set match lasting two hours and eleven minutes. Speaking at the post-match press conference, she shared her strategy to handle the crowd’s energy, which will largely support Boisson.
I think there’s two ways I’ve done it in the past: just pretend they’re cheering for you and just using it and not letting you know that get to you. I’ve been in crowds where they’re 99% for me,
she said. —Coco Gauff, WTA Player
Gauff also emphasized that it is natural for fans to rally behind their hometown player, and she would do the same if roles were reversed. Rather than letting the crowd’s support for Boisson become a distraction, she plans to mentally prepare for it and remain focused on the match.
I don’t have an issue with it and I hope everyone will be respectful and if not it’s cool I think this makes sports exciting and I can’t get irritated with the fact that someone’s rooting for their hometown hero because I would do the same. So I think it’s just something that I will mentally prepare for if it were to happen and expect and be ready for,
she added. —Coco Gauff, WTA Player
This semifinal marks the first time Gauff and the 22-year-old Frenchwoman will meet on court.
Confidence Boost from Victory Over Madison Keys
Following her win against Madison Keys, Gauff did not hesitate to acknowledge her own competitive spirit. She reflected on her drive both on and off the tennis court, highlighting a philosophy of giving everything she has in competition to avoid future regrets.
It’s just I have always had that in me, and not just in tennis but in everything. I’m a very competitive person. My philosophy is if I can just leave it all out there, then the loss will hurt a lot less than regrets of maybe not giving it your all,
she stated. —Coco Gauff, WTA Player
Her opponent, Lois Boisson, is enjoying a career-best performance, having defeated three ranked players during the tournament so far. Playing on home clay gives Boisson the advantage of strong crowd support, which she will likely use to fuel her play in the semifinal.
The showdown between Gauff and Boisson is set for Thursday, June 5, on the iconic Philippe Chatrier court at Roland Garros.
Upcoming Match Poised to Highlight Mental and Physical Resilience
The semifinal meeting between Coco Gauff and Lois Boisson has generated considerable anticipation, combining Gauff’s resilience and Boisson’s home-court advantage. The match is expected to test Gauff’s ability to maintain focus amid a challenging environment while showcasing the passion both players bring to the tournament.
As Gauff prepares herself for the noisy support Boisson will receive, her mental readiness may prove to be a crucial factor in determining who advances to the French Open final, potentially continuing her rise in the WTA rankings and career achievements.