A highly-ranked British tennis player has apologised for saying an opponent “smells really bad” and requesting she put deodorant on.
Harriet Dart said in an Instagram story she “truly regretted” her comments made about French player Lois Boisson, to whom she lost 6-0, 6-3 in the first round of the clay-court Rouen Open on Tuesday.
The British No 4 made the comments about Boisson during a changeover in the second set, with the French player seemingly out of earshot at the back of the court.
In footage Dart can be heard saying to the umpire: “Can you tell her (Boisson) to wear deodorant?…Because she smells really bad.”
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The 28-year-old apologised for her comments saying “it was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret”.
She added: “That’s not how I want to carry myself, and I take full responsibility.
“I have a lot of respect for Lois and how she competed today. I’ll learn from this and move forward.”
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Boisson, who made her first WTA Tour appearance of the season and is working her way back up from 303rd in the rankings after injuries, gave a light-hearted response.
She posted a photo on Instagram of her on court with a Dove deodorant edited into the frame above her hand, tagging the company and writing that they “apparently need a collab”.
Boisson’s win over No 110 Dart – during which she broke the Brit’s serve four times – was a notable upset.
