British tennis star asks umpire 'can you tell her to wear deodorant' as rival dug out

Harriet Dart bizarrely asked the umpire to get opponent Lois Boisson to freshen up during her heavy defeat in Stuttgart. The 28-year-old was hammered 6-0 6-3 in her first-round match at the Open de Rouen, but it wasn't just Boisson's superior play that bothered her.

During a break in the second set, the British player got to her feet and approached the official. Dart was clearly heard asking the umpire: "Can you tell her to wear deodrant?" With the umpire seemingly confused, she then seemed to repeat the question, before getting ready to receive serve.

It wasn't just the bad smells that would have left Dart upset afterwards. She won just three games during her harrowing defeat, and has now lost three consecutive singles matches.

While a number of fans reacted humorously online, Dart was also criticised for her odd request. @SeivwrightTrudy said: "This two second insult will comeback to bite Harriet. Why would the umpire be responsible for a player's body odour?"

@StaceyS47363102 added: "I'm so disappointed in Harriet. Terrible comment to make. I truly thought better of her. Wow."

@TennisCouchTalk was also scathing, writing: "Jokes aside, this is absolutely unacceptable professional behavior! You're playing tennis and not walking into a fashion show."

Dart could yet live to regret her strange outburst. Other fans speculated over whether the WTA Tour or LTA would now look into the incident and deem her to have behaved inappropriately.

She has struggled for form so far in 2025, despite being handed a reprieve at the Australian Open after failing to get through qualifying. Dart was still able to enter as a 'lucky loser' following withdrawals and went on to make the second-round.