Credit: X
British tennis player Harriet Dart has publicly apologised for her controversial remark made during her first-round drubbing to her French opponent Lois Boisson at the 2025 Rouen Open. Dart registered a hammering from 0-6, 3-6 in the match. During the contest, she became a centre of attention for asking the umpire if Boisson could be instructed to don deodorant due to her foul smell. Her comment was captured by a microphone displayed at the courtside. “Can you tell her (Boisson) to wear deodorant? … Because she smells really bad,” said Dart to the umpire.
Dart’s remark got viral on social media which landed her in a controversy. Amidst backlash, the 28-year-old now has apologised for her comment. She took to her Instagram story and posted a long note. "I want to apologize 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," read her apology note.
Boisson, who became the victim of Dart’s comment, didn’t hear the British player’s remark while competing in the match but after the game, she reacted to the statement. The 21-year-old posted an Instagram story which displayed an edited photo of her holding a Dove deodorant.
Boisson causes upset against Dart
Boisson, who is ranked 303 in world rankings, performed a turnaround against Dart. The British player is holding 110th spot in the rankings and her comprehensive defeat stunned the followers of the sport. Boisson, who is making her maiden WTA tour appearance of the season after sustaining an injury, has broken into the top 16 with her scintillating success against the 28-year-old British.
Dart lost her serve four times in the game which proved costly. She showed up in her second clay-court game of the season before the upcoming 2025 French Open, which will be held from May 5 to June 8, 2025. Before this hammering, Dart also lost to France’s Varvara Gracheva in the first round of the 2025 Charleston Open.
