British tennis player Harriet Dart sparked controversy by complaining about her opponent’s body odor during a match, only to face defeat and public backlash afterward.
At a Glance
- Harriet Dart (ranked 62nd) asked the umpire to tell Lois Boisson (ranked 303rd) to use deodorant during their Rouen Open match
- Dart’s comment was caught on a hot mic: “Can you ask her to put on deodorant? She smells really bad”
- Boisson, who was not within hearing range of the comment, defeated Dart 6-0, 6-3
- After social media backlash, Dart issued a public apology for the “heat-of-the-moment” remark
- Boisson responded humorously by posting a photoshopped image with deodorant, tagging Dove for a potential partnership
On-Court Controversy Goes Viral
A strange controversy unfolded at the Rouen Open tennis tournament in France when British player Harriet Dart made an unusual request to the chair umpire during a second-set changeover. Caught on the broadcast’s microphones, Dart asked, “Can you ask her to put on deodorant? She smells really bad.”
The comment, directed at her French opponent Lois Boisson, quickly spread across social media and tennis circles, creating a firestorm of reactions. The incident occurred as Dart was already significantly behind in the match, a detail that many observers found particularly inappropriate.
Boisson, who reportedly did not hear the comment when it was made, went on to dominate the match with a decisive 6-0, 6-3 victory. The win was particularly significant for Boisson, who entered the tournament ranked 303rd and was making her first WTA Tour appearance of the 2025 season after recovering from an injury. Dart, ranked substantially higher at 62nd in the world, was considered the favorite before their match, making her defeat and inappropriate comment all the more noteworthy.
Apology and Aftermath
Following the match and the resulting social media backlash, Dart took to Instagram to express regret for her behavior. “It was a comment made in the heat of the moment and I truly regret it. It’s not the way I want to behave and I take full responsibility,” Dart wrote.
The British player acknowledged her respect for Boisson and pledged to learn from the incident. The controversy also drew comments from other tennis professionals, including controversial Australian player Nick Kyrgios, who criticized Dart’s timing.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has not yet provided any official comment regarding the incident or potential disciplinary actions. The unusual nature of the complaint has created discussions about sportsmanship and appropriate on-court behavior, especially when players are struggling during competition. Many observers have noted that making personal comments about opponents during professional matches crosses the line of acceptable competitive conduct.
Boisson’s Response and Tournament Progress
Rather than responding with anger, Boisson handled the situation with humor and grace. She posted a photoshopped image of herself holding a deodorant can on social media, even tagging Dove for a potential sponsorship collaboration.
This good-natured response earned Boisson additional praise from tennis fans and further highlighted the contrast between the two players’ behaviors. Meanwhile, Boisson’s impressive victory advances her to the second round of the tournament.
The Rouen Open is a clay court event that serves as an important preparation tournament for the upcoming French Open. Boisson, who is awaiting her second-round opponent (to be decided between Moyuka Uchijima and Nuria Brancaccio), now has momentum on her side. For the French player, this tournament marks a significant return to competition after an injury sidelined her earlier in the season. The final is scheduled for April 20, with American Sloane Stephens having won last year’s championship against Poland’s Magda Linette.
