Loïs Boisson is set to return to competitive tennis this Tuesday at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid, marking her first appearance since withdrawing from the China Open in September 2025. The French world No. 1 will face American Peyton Stearns in the opening round, ending a six-month hiatus caused by a complex right forearm injury that she says was prolonged by medical misjudgments.
In a candid interview with AFP, Boisson disclosed that her extended absence stemmed not only from the physical nature of her condition but similarly from repeated errors in medical assessments. “There were quite a few medical errors on their side,” she stated, explaining that recovery timelines were consistently miscalculated. “They kept telling me timeframes that weren’t real and didn’t match what I actually needed.”
The 22-year-old from Dijon described her injury as a combination of tendon inflammation and a tear, specifically identifying it as a detachment of the aponeurosis, or cross syndrome. This diagnosis came after initial evaluations failed to capture the full scope of the damage, leading to premature attempts at comebacks that ultimately failed.
“It’s also why there were so many false returns,” Boisson added. “I was too short on time. I couldn’t regain certain tennis strokes just before the scheduled date. So there was no point in playing a match—I couldn’t finish it.” She cited her withdrawal at the WTA 250 event in Rouen as one example of these unsuccessful comebacks.
Boisson acknowledged that the mental toll of the ordeal was significant. “These past months have been very hard, the toughest since I started playing tennis. I also didn’t handle it well mentally,” she admitted. The frustration of being cleared too soon only to uncover herself unable to compete created a cycle of setbacks that tested her resilience.
The injury originated during her preseason preparation and was described as “unexpected” and “complex to manage.” What began as a minor issue escalated due to the misjudged recovery windows, forcing her to step away from the sport for nearly three months before even beginning structured rehabilitation.
Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, Boisson returns under the guidance of her new coach, Hendrick Vleeshouwers from the Netherlands. She expressed confidence in the change, stating that her new mentor “can only bring good things” to her game and mindset.
Despite the challenges, Boisson framed the experience as ultimately beneficial. “Going through all of this, I tell myself it wasn’t random—that it taught me things and will help me in the future. I’m happy today to come out stronger and to have processed it all,” she said, reflecting on the personal growth forged during her time away.
Her return to the clay courts of Madrid comes at a pivotal moment in the European spring swing, just weeks before Roland Garros. As the top-ranked French player, her presence adds depth to a tournament field still navigating the aftermath of injuries and scheduling shifts across the WTA tour.
For Boisson, the match against Stearns represents more than a resumption of competition—it is a validation of her perseverance through a period marked by both physical struggle and systemic shortcomings in her care. She steps onto the court not only to play but to prove that resilience can emerge even from the most frustrating setbacks.
As she prepares for her first serve in Madrid, the focus shifts from what kept her away to what she has learned during her absence. The lessons drawn from misdiagnosed timelines and rushed comebacks may well shape how she approaches her body and her career moving forward.
Boisson’s next confirmed checkpoint is her first-round match at the WTA 1000 in Madrid on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, where she will seek to reestablish her rhythm on the red clay that has long been her strongest surface.
What did you believe of Loïs Boisson’s honest account of her recovery journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below and spread the conversation on social media.
