British tennis player Harriet Dart 'sorry' after saying opponent should put deodorant on

A highly ranked British tennis player has apologised for saying an opponent "smells really bad" and requesting she put deodorant on.

Harriet Dart said in an Instagram story she "truly regretted" her comments made about Lois Boisson, to whom she lost 6-0, 6-3 in the first round of the clay-court Rouen Open on Tuesday.

The French player quickly hit back with a tongue-in-cheek response, and posted an Instagram photo of her on court... with deodorant superimposed into the shot.

"@Dove apparently need a collab," she quipped - throwing in a couple of emojis for good measure.

The British No 4 had made the comments during a changeover in the second set, with Boisson seemingly out of earshot at the back of the court.

In footage Dart can be heard saying to the umpire: "Can you tell her to wear deodorant? Because she smells really bad."

The 28-year-old apologised for her comments saying "it was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret".

She added: "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."

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Boisson is making her first WTA Tour appearance of the season - and working her way back up from 303rd in the rankings after injuries.

Her win over No 110 Dart - during which she broke the Brit's serve four times - was a notable upset.

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