French tennis star who was told she ‘needs deodorant’ and ‘smells really bad’ by Brit rival Harriet Dart offers hilarious response.
After British rival Harriet Dart told French tennis star she ‘needs deodorant’ and ‘smells really bad,’ the athlete responds humorously.
Harriet Dart publicly apologizes after making an inappropriate comment about her opponent’s hygiene during their match at the Open de Rouen.
Harriet Dart asks opponent Lois Boisson to wear deodorant during their match
During her match against French tennis player Lois Boisson at the Open de Rouen, British tennis star Harriet Dart made an unusual request to the chair umpire.
‘Can you tell her to wear deodorant?’ Dart asked. ‘She’s smelling really bad.’
The comment came after Dart lost the first set 6-0 without winning a single game. She eventually lost the match 6-0, 6-3.
Harriet Dart issues an apology for her ‘heat-of-the-moment’ comment
After the match, Dart took to Instagram to apologize for her comment, acknowledging that it was made in the heat of the moment.
She wrote, ‘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.’
It did not take Boisson long to respond, and she took Dart’s apology in good spirits.
Dart further expressed respect for her opponent, Lois Boisson, and promised to learn from the incident.
Lois Boisson responds with humor and grace to Harriet Dart’s apology
Lois Boisson quickly responded to Dart’s apology, showing a sense of humor. She posted a picture of herself in action on Instagram, with a photoshopped image of a Dove deodorant can.
Tagging the brand, Boisson wrote, “@dove apparently need a collab,” with laughing emojis and a prayer hands emoji. Her response showed she took the comment in stride.
Social media reacts to Harriet Dart’s comment, with some calling for a ban
Dart’s comment sparked criticism from fans on social media.
In the comment selection, many fans were quick to condemn the remark, with some even calling for her to face suspension.
One person said: Dart should be suspended
A second wrote: This is pathetic if true
While a third commented: Lmao thought I misheard but she really said this.
Many also found it disrespectful, with one user noting, “That is completely unacceptable from Dart.”
Another user added: I think it’s so funny, you’ve got to see the funny side of this, you couldn’t make it up !!!
Someone else said: I think it’s so funny, you’ve got to see the funny side of this, you couldn’t make it up !!!
She should have sniffed the tennis balls instead of the pet cat of her opponent. Another wrote.
Harriet Dart’s apology and the future of her career
Despite the controversy, Dart remains a well-respected player.
She reached the third round of Wimbledon in both 2019 and 2024.
She was also part of the Great Britain team that reached the Billie Jean King Cup finals
Her apology is seen as a sign of maturity, and many hope that Dart will learn from this incident moving forward in her career.