“I am finally back on court”: Lois Boisson returns in Madrid Open with Anisimova’s former coach
WTAFriday, 17 April 2026 at 17:46
Loïs Boisson is set to return to competition at the WTA 1000 Madrid Open after more than six months away from the tour, marking a key transition point in her season. The French No. 1 has started working with Dutch coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers (according to L'Equipe), best known for his recent success with Amanda Anisimova, as she looks to rebuild momentum ahead of the clay swing.
The coaching appointment forms the central development in her comeback. Vleeshouwers arrives after a two-year period with Anisimova that included a rise to world No. 3, Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025, and WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing. His profile introduces immediate expectations around structure and progression at the highest level.
Boisson’s return comes after a prolonged absence dating back to September 2025, when she last competed following her breakthrough season. That campaign was defined by her run to the Roland Garros semi-finals, where she established herself on clay and collected 780 ranking points, forming the baseline she will now need to defend in the coming weeks.
Since then, her trajectory has been interrupted by injury. A right forearm issue sustained during pre-season halted the start of her 2026 campaign, extending far beyond initial timelines and forcing her to miss the opening four months of the year. The setback followed earlier physical problems, including a quadriceps injury during her rise, consolidating a pattern of stop-start progression.
Roland Garros breakthrough and interrupted momentum
Boisson’s 2025 Roland Garros run remains the defining reference point in her career to date. Entering the tournament outside the top tier of contenders, she advanced to the semi-finals with a series of controlled performances, establishing her effectiveness on clay and her ability to manage high-pressure matches.
That result positioned her as a central figure within French tennis and accelerated her ranking progression into the top 50. It also created immediate expectations heading into the 2026 season, particularly on clay, where her game profile—based on variation, point construction and defensive resilience—had already proven effective.
However, that momentum was not sustained. The transition into the off-season introduced physical complications that disrupted her preparation cycle. The forearm injury, initially considered minor, evolved into a long-term issue that required extended rehabilitation and prevented her from building continuity at the start of the year.
Injury setbacks and mental toll
Boisson outlined the impact of that period in detail, describing both the physical demands of recovery and the psychological consequences of prolonged inactivity. Her account reflects a loss of competitive rhythm combined with uncertainty over timelines and return conditions.
“Hello everyone, I’m sorry I haven’t given you much news lately, I simply couldn’t. As you can imagine, these last four months have been very complicated for me," she posted on Instagram. "The injury to my right forearm, which happened during pre-season training when everything was going well, prevented me from starting my 2026 season as I wished and from playing tournaments I dream of participating in.
"This injury, which was supposed to keep me away from the courts for only a few weeks, lasted much longer due to a series of errors and complications, beyond my control, that could have been avoided.”
The rehabilitation phase extended across several months, limiting her ability to maintain match readiness and introducing additional mental strain. Boisson indicated that the psychological aspect of the recovery was particularly challenging, surpassing previous injury experiences.
“I spent all my days for weeks and months doing treatment, rehabilitation and physical preparation while waiting to be ready to play again. I had a lot of difficulty accepting what was happening to me, and it was even more complicated psychologically than during my knee injury.”
Madrid return and new phase with Vleeshouwers
Boisson has now resumed training in Madrid, where she was seen working at the Caja Mágica with Vleeshouwers. The tournament is expected to mark her first competitive appearance since September, contingent on final medical clearance, and will serve primarily as a benchmark for her physical condition.
“But once again I will get back up and move forward, coming back even stronger than before. I am finally back on court! The process is long, but I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The immediate objective is to reintroduce competitive rhythm rather than target deep progression. Madrid represents the first step in a compressed timeline leading into Roland Garros, where she will defend the points accumulated during her 2025 semi-final run.
“I will see you during April for my return to competition on a surface that I particularly like. Finally, I wanted to thank you for all the support messages I received during this very difficult period… All your encouragement gives me strength.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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