Harriet Dart has apologised after urging an umpire to tell her opponent to put on deodorant claiming ‘she smells really bad’. British number four Dart was facing Lois Boisson in the first round of the Rouen Open on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old lost the first set 6-0 in just 28 minutes and fared littled better in the second, going down 6-3 to crash out of the tournament. During a changeover in the second set, Dart approached the umpire to complain about Boisson’s hygiene.
The Brit rose from her chair and then told the official: “Can you tell her to wear deodorant?” She then repeated the question, saying: “Because the smell. Can you tell her to wear deodorant? She smells really bad.”
Despite Dart’s comment, the umpire took no action. Boisson, who had walked back on to the court while Dart was still sat down, appeared to be out of earshot when the comment was made
She posted several clips from the game later to her Instagram story, with no mention of the comment. Dart meanwhile apologised for her actions, which could well land her in hot water with the Women’s Tennis Association.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Dart wrote: “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.”
Dart attracted intense criticism for her comment, with fans lining up to blast her. Some even demanded she be handed a suspension for her ‘pathetic’ comment.
One wrote: “Dart should be suspended.” Another added: “This is pathetic if true.” A third person said: “Lmao thought I misheard but she really said this.” A fourth concluded: “That is completely unacceptable from Dart. So disrespectful.”
It marks a difficult start to the clay-court season for Dart. This was her second outing of the campaign on the surface leading into next month’s French Open.
The British star lost to Varvara Gracheva last month in the first round at the Charleston Open. Tuesday’s defeat was a major upset, with the match Boisson’s first appearance of the WTA Tour this year.
The Frenchwoman has been struggling with injury up to this point and sits 303rd in the world rankings. Dart meanwhile is number 62 in the world.
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