French Open semifinalist suffers injury set-back right before the Australian Open

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With the Australian Open right around the corner, one Grand Slam star’s participation is in jeopardy…

The 2026 Australian Open main draw begins in just 19 days.

Before then, players will compete in several warm-up events, including the Brisbane International, Adelaide International, and the mixed-gender United Cup.

However, one former Grand Slam semifinalist won’t be competing in this year’s United Cup, leaving some questioning whether she’ll be fit in time for the first major of 2026.

Sharing an update on her Instagram story, 2025 French Open semifinalist Lois Boisson attempted to answer those questions.

Lois Boisson makes ‘tough decision’ to pull out of United Cup

The 22-year-old was set to make her United Cup debut in the new year, but has now withdrawn due to injury.

“Hi everyone, I just wanted to give you an update that unfortunately I had a little set back during my pre-season, and therefore I won’t be ready on time to compete at the United Cup in Perth,” said Boisson.

“It was a very tough decision as I was really looking forward to representing France for the first time in a team event.

“I am doing everything that I can to be ready on time for the Australian Open. Lois.”

Boisson is now the second player to withdraw from the competition, after Jack Draper, who pulled out of the United Cup due to his ongoing injury struggles.

France have replaced Boisson with Leolia Jeanjean, the world number 106.

Team France at the 2026 United Cup

• Lucas Pouille (Captain)
• Arthur Rinderknech
• Leolia Jeanjean
• Geoffrey Blancaneaux
• Tiantsoa Rakotomanga
• Edouard Roger-Vasselin

The French will be looking to win their first title in 2026 and improve upon their best-ever result, a run to the semifinals two years ago.

Team France’s record at the United Cup

• 2025 United Cup (0-2) – Lost in RR
• 2024 United Cup (3-1) – Lost in SF to Poland
• 2023 United Cup (1-1) – Lost in RR

Only time will tell how they will perform, but the French will certainly miss the 2025 Roland Garros semifinalist…

How well did Lois Boisson perform in 2025?

Boisson made headlines earlier this year when she beat Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva in Paris to reach her first career Grand Slam semifinal.

Eventually, her run came to an end at the hands of the 2025 champion, Coco Gauff, but she’d already established herself as one of the top prospects in French tennis.

She was unable to carry that form through to Wimbledon, but soon returned to winning ways, picking up her maiden WTA title at the Hamburg Open.

Lois Boisson’s record post-2025 French Open

• 2025 Wimbledon Q1 [LOSS] vs Carson Branstine
• 2025 Nordea Open WTA 125 1R [WIN] vs Chloe Paquet
• 2025 Nordea Open WTA 125 2R [LOSS] vs Darja Semenistaja
• 2025 Hamburg Open 1R [WIN] vs Julia Grabher
• 2025 Hamburg Open 2R [WIN] vs Tamara Korpatsch
• 2025 Hamburg Open QF [WIN] vs Viktoriya Tomova
• 2025 Hamburg Open SF [WIN] vs Dayana Yastremska
• 2025 Hamburg Open F [WIN] vs Anna Bondar
• 2025 Tennis In The Land 1R [LOSS] vs Jil Teichmann
• 2025 US Open 1R [LOSS] vs Viktorija Golubic
• 2025 Korea Open 1R [WIN] vs Yeon Woo Ku
• 2025 Korea Open 2R [LOSS] vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
• 2025 China Open 1R [WIN] vs Dalma Galfi
• 2025 China Open 2R [WIN] vs Liudmila Samsonova
• 2025 China Open 3R [LOSS] vs Emma Navarro

After Hamburg, Boisson went 3-3, finishing her 2025 campaign with a defeat to Emma Navarro in Beijing.

Those results saw the Frenchwoman jump up to 36th in the world, leaving her just outside the seeded spots for Melbourne.

Lois Boisson’s WTA Ranking

Boisson need not worry about seeding now, though, as she faces a race to get fit in time for the Australian Open.

With 19 days to go, Boisson doesn’t have long left to arrive in Melbourne ready and raring to go.

The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.