Jim Courier has sought to outline the differences between Emma Raducanu and Lois Boisson after the latter’s magical run to the Roland Garros semi-finals.
Entering into this event, the Frenchwoman was ranked 361st in the world, a relative unknown who was really just beginning her career on the pro tour.
Now, even if she is to lose to Coco Gauff, the 22-year-old has guaranteed herself a spot within the top 100, and will comfortably be the new French number one too.
This run has been meteoric and shocking in equal parts, with Courier seeking to emphasise just how unlikely it has been.
How Emma Raducanu’s US Open win is different to Lois Boisson’s French Open run
Asked about Boisson’s fairytale run to the semi-finals of the French Open, and how it compares to some of the other most shocking Grand Slam surprises in recent years, naturally Emma Raducanu’s name had to creep up.
After all, at just 18 years of age, she went from an unknown qualifier in the US Open to the champion of the entire event, propelling her into superstardom perhaps before she was ready.
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Courier was quick to outline the differences between the two though: ‘This is completely out of the blue. Emma Raducanu had made the fourth round of Wimbledon prior to that. She had already been on the scene and played some pressure matches.
‘This is so impressive she is able to manage the moment and let alone beat these opponents but just not beat herself.
‘That is what I would think would be the biggest challenge when you are facing something so new, so unusual and overwhelming for most people who experience it for the first time.
’It has been one of the most magical rides we have been on at this year’s Roland Garros.’
A run that will change Lois Boisson’s life
As noted earlier, Boisson’s ranking is set for an almighty rise regardless of what happens now in the rest of the tournament.
However, that is far from the only benefit she is also set to gain from such success.
Before Roland Garros, her entire career earnings within tennis sat at an estimated $148,500. In reaching the semi-finals, she has quadrupled that figure in just one event, guaranteed at least $788,200.
Financial pressure can be a huge fear for tennis players, but a run like this can set them up for decades, allowing them to focus on achieving more success.
Given how Boisson has been playing across the last two weeks, delivering upsets to seeds like Elise Mertens, Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva, it certainly seems like the future is bright.
Going forward though, she will have to learn to deal with playing without huge support, after the French Open crowd was criticised during the Boisson Andreeva match.