Virtual reality could be helping Lois Boisson make French Open run

Lois Boisson. Sipa Press

Virtual reality could be helping Lois Boisson make unexpected run at French Open

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 12:16 PM ET

After tearing the ACL in her left knee in 2024, Lois Boisson turned to virtual reality to accelerate her comeback.

In a story published Sunday, Dan Imhoff of the French Open's website reported that Boisson's fitness coach, Sebastien Durand, suggested she start using virtual reality and other neurovisual training after surgery. She heeded his advice.

"It's very difficult to explain, but it's both visual and you just do some exercises differently," Boisson said, via Imhoff. "You connect the brain with the eyes, and then everything goes faster, you know, so it's really great for tennis.

"It was after my surgery. We did that [and] I came back faster."

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A post shared by Sebastien Durand (@sebdurand_training)

Perhaps the technology is powering her unexpected run at the 2025 French Open.

Boisson was given a wild card to enter the tournament's main draw. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman is making her debut in a Grand Slam and hadn't faced a player ranked in the world's top 50 before this week.

That didn't faze her in her match against third-ranked Jessica Pegula on Monday. In a stunning upset, Boisson beat the 31-year-old American 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Boisson will face No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva in her next match on Wednesday.

Clear skies over Paris, but a storm hit Philippe-Chatrier as Lois Boisson upsets world No.3 Jessica Pegula #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/OWrXT6l7Lb
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2025

According to Ed McGrogan of Tennis.com, 361st-ranked Boisson is the lowest-ranked player to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2017, when 418th-ranked Kaia Kanepi did at the U.S. Open.

Boisson isn't the only athlete who has used virtual reality. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has used virtual reality simulations since his time at LSU, via The Athletic's Ben Standig. During the 2024 season, Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished seventh in MVP voting.

With the success of Boisson and Daniels, expect more athletes to use the technology to improve their games. The goofy-looking virtual reality headsets can certainly offer a massive edge.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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