Tennis courts can get tense, sweaty, and emotionally charged—but Harriet Dart’s match at the 2025 Rouen Open took a surprising turn off the scoreboard and into the world of personal hygiene.
The British No. 4 found herself at the center of controversy after making a comment to the umpire about her opponent, French player Lois Boisson, that many deemed unprofessional. Dart was overheard asking the umpire mid-match:
“Can you tell her to wear deodorant because she smells really bad?”
The Heat of the Moment
The comment, caught by courtside microphones, quickly went viral on social media. Critics called the statement unsportsmanlike and unnecessary, especially during a professional WTA Tour event.
Dart, 27, lost the match in straight sets—6-0, 6-3—in a one-sided affair that saw Boisson dominate the opening set in just 28 minutes. Though Dart showed more fight in the second, she failed to convert any of her six break point opportunities.
Perhaps it was frustration, nerves, or the heat of the moment—but Dart’s remark instantly overshadowed the match itself.
A Public Apology
Realizing the weight of her words, Dart took to Instagram shortly after the match with a heartfelt apology:
“Hey everyone, 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.”
The post garnered mixed reactions—some applauding her maturity in owning the mistake, others believing more needs to be done to uphold standards of professionalism in tennis.
Boisson’s Triumph & Comeback
For Lois Boisson, the incident didn’t seem to shake her focus. The 20-year-old Frenchwoman, currently ranked 303 in the world, is clawing her way back after injuries kept her out of action. The Rouen Open marked her first WTA Tour appearance of the season, and this win over a top 120 opponent is a strong statement.
Boisson didn’t comment directly on the deodorant remark, instead letting her tennis do the talking.
British Struggles Continue
Elsewhere in the tournament, fellow Brit Sonay Kartal also fell in straight sets, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Varvara Gracheva. The British men didn’t fare much better—Cameron Norrie, who’s had a significant dip in the ATP rankings down to No. 88, was defeated in Barcelona by Russia’s Karen Khachanov despite taking the first set in a tiebreak.
The Bigger Picture
While Dart’s remark was certainly inappropriate, it does open up a wider conversation about emotional control, professionalism, and pressure in women’s tennis. Athletes are humans, often operating under immense stress—and while that doesn’t excuse poor behavior, it’s important to foster growth, accountability, and learning from mistakes.
Dart’s quick apology and public ownership of the incident may be a step in the right direction for a player still seeking her breakout moment on the global stage.
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