Harriet Dart has issued a public apology after requesting that an umpire ask French opponent Lois Boisson to wear deodorant during a first-round loss at the Rouen Open.
British number four Harriet Dart was heard during a second-set changeover asking the chair umpire if Boisson could be told to apply deodorant, stating, “She smells really bad.” The exchange was picked up by courtside microphones and aired during the broadcast.
Dart, 28, lost 6-0, 6-3 to the 21-year-old French wild card, who was making her first WTA Tour appearance of the season after injury. Dart failed to convert six break points and lost her serve four times during the match, which saw Boisson progress to the last 16.
The comment appeared to be made while Boisson was away from the bench and out of earshot. However, Dart addressed the incident shortly afterwards via her Instagram story, stating: “I want to apologise for what I said on court today. It was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret. 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.”
Boisson responded playfully on her own Instagram story, posting an edited image of herself mid-serve holding a can of deodorant and tagging the personal care brand Dove, suggesting they “apparently need a collab.”
Boisson, ranked 303rd in the world, caused an upset by defeating Dart, who is currently placed 62nd.
Dart was playing her second clay-court match of the season in preparation for next month’s French Open, following a first-round exit at the Charleston Open.
#Harriet #Dart #apologises #deodorant #comment #Lois #Boisson #responds
