British tennis player Harriet Dart sparked controversy during her first-round loss at the Open de Rouen, asking the match umpire to intervene over what she claimed was her opponent’s body odor.
During a break in the second set of her match against France’s Lois Boisson—which Dart ultimately lost 6-0, 6-3—the 28-year-old approached the chair umpire and was heard saying, “Can you tell her to wear deodorant?” The request, which was met with confusion, quickly gained traction online.
Dart, visibly frustrated and slumped in her chair during the match, appeared to repeat the remark before play resumed.
The incident didn’t go unnoticed. While some fans online responded with humor, others criticized Dart’s conduct. One user wrote, “Why would the umpire be responsible for a player’s body odor?” while another added, “I’m disappointed in Harriet. That comment was completely unprofessional.”
Dart’s defeat in Rouen marked her third consecutive singles loss of the season. She has struggled to regain form in 2025, despite a lucky-loser entry into the Australian Open earlier this year where she reached the second round.
The WTA has yet to comment on the incident, though speculation has begun about whether the tour or the LTA might investigate her behavior further
