"It’s their prerogative": Former world number one shares views about Lois Boisson's Wimbledon snub

Former doubles world number one John Fitzgerald has expressed his views on Lois Boisson not receiving a wildcard at Wimbledon this year. The 22-year-old was the surprise package during the recently concluded French Open, where she produced some incredible results.

Boisson defeated 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula in the round of 16 with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Then, in the quarterfinals, Boisson defeated Russia’s young sensation Mirra Andreeva in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3. Her journey ended in the semifinals as she lost to America’s Coco Gauff, who came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Before the French Open this year, Boisson had never played in the main round of a Grand Slam. She suffered a major injury last year as well, which forced her to stay out of action for a considerable amount of time.

Those performances, however, were not enough for Boisson to receive a wildcard for the third Grand Slam of the year, which will begin on June 30 in London. The decision left many pundits and fans surprised, especially after it was reported that Boisson failed to secure a spot among the seven players who have been awarded a wildcard to feature at Wimbledon this year.

However, Fitzgerald was of the opinion that he found nothing wrong with that decision. The 64-year-old, who won seven doubles Grand Slams in his playing days, recently featured in a video on the Australian Open channel on YouTube and stated that Wimbledon organisers made the decision, which was ‘their prerogative’.

“It’s Wimbledon’s prerogative; they can pick whoever they want,” he said. “The cut-off comes before the points come on from Roland Garros, but she’ll be alright next year. It’s their prerogative. The Czech representative on the women’s side is a two-time Wimbledon champion. You’d have to include her, surely.”