"With questions like that, you want to trigger things, don’t take me for a fool...”: Amélie Mauresmo pushes back on questions regarding Boisson’s muscles at Roland Garros

Amélie Mauresmo expressed her discontent over the persistent questions from a journalist about the physique of Lois Boisson. The former world No. 1 and current Roland Garros director expressed her full disagreement with the journalist’s question.

And the French Open director appeared in the documentary “Roland-Garros – Entre les lignes” (Between the Lines), which shows part of the behind-the-scenes of the 2025 tournament – where there were several key moments, from the official farewell of Rafael Nadal to the breakthrough of young local player Lois Boisson.

Precisely, the run of the local player was one of the most talked-about points during those weeks in Paris. She became the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist and semifinalist at Roland Garros in 40 years – after entering the tournament only as world No. 361 following a wildcard from the organisation.

Boisson was playing her first Grand Slam main draw and reached the semifinals, defeating along the way opponents such as Elise Mertens (24th), Jessica Pegula (3rd) and Mirra Andreeva (6th). She eventually lost to the eventual champion Coco Gauff (1-6, 2-6).

A recently released video from the documentary Between the Lines shows a heated exchange between tournament director Amélie Mauresmo and a journalist behind the scenes on Court Philippe Chatrier. The former world No. 1 was answering press questions, when one in particular about Boisson did not sit well with her at all.

Among the journalists’ comments, one can be heard mentioning the appearance of 22-year-old local player Lois Boisson. “Her physique... I mean, she’s imposing, her muscles are popping,” the journalist can be heard saying in French in the mixed zone, to which Mauresmo initially responded in a diplomatic manner.

“In any case, she has incredible court coverage, so it’s true that to produce that type of game, you really need to be physically fit.”

However, moments later – as the documentary shows – Mauresmo expressed her discomfort to the journalist. “I don’t congratulate you for the question you asked me about Loïs’s physique. That’s the last time. You said she’s very muscular... 20 or 25 years ago, I was already getting the same remarks, so I don’t congratulate you.

“With questions like that, you want to trigger things, don’t take me for a fool... The kid is 22, you’re not going to start bothering her about that because she has muscles. She’s an athlete, period.”

In a later interview, the two-time Grand Slam champion spoke with France TV about the episode experienced with the journalist, and how it reminded her of how she herself, during her career, received questions about her appearance.

“I was shocked by that question asked that very morning. It’s something I myself experienced years ago,” she said. “As tournament director and close to the players, I want them to feel good and protected during their stay here. I didn’t really think; it came out naturally.”

Mauresmo is one of the most successful players in the history of French tennis, having reached world No. 1 for the first time in 2004 – and again in 2006. She totalled 39 weeks as world No. 1, in addition to winning a total of 25 titles – highlighting her Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon 2006, the WTA Finals 2005, the silver medal at the Olympic Games 2004, and six WTA 1000 titles – among others.