British tennis player Harriet Dart has apologized after asking her opponent at the WTA Rouen (Stuttgart, Germany) to wear deodorant because she “smells so bad.” The incident occurred during the first round of the tournament, where Dart was defeated 6-0, 6-3 by French player Lois Boisson.

During a side change, Dart asked the chair umpire, “Can you tell her to use deodorant because she smells so bad?” His comments were picked up by a microphone on the court and generated criticism on social media.

Dart’s immediate apology

Subsequently, Dart posted an apology on Instagram: “Hi everyone, I want to apologize for what I said on the court today, it was a comment in a heated moment that I really regret. That’s not the way I want to behave, and I take full responsibility. I have a lot of respect for Lois and how she competed today. I will learn from this and move on.”

Resounding victory for Lois Boisson

Boisson, 21 and currently ranked 303rd in the world and who made her first appearance on the WTA circuit this season after recovering from injury, dominated the first set in just 28 minutes. Although Dart, ranked 110th in the world, showed better resistance in the second set, she failed to convert any of her six break points, allowing Boisson to advance comfortably.