Dart apologises for asking Boisson to 'put on deodorant'

British number four Harriet Dart asked the umpire to tell her French opponent to put on deodorant during her first-round loss at the Rouen Open.

Dart lost 6-0 6-3 to Lois Boisson, which included the 28-year-old being swept aside in the opening set in just 28 minutes.

During a changeover in the second set, Dart was heard on the broadcast asking the official: "Can you ask her to put on deodorant? She smells really bad."

She went on to fail to convert any of her six break points as the 21-year-old Boisson claimed a comprehensive victory to reach the last 16.

Neither player has mentioned the deodorant remark on social media following the match.

BBC Sport has contacted the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for comment.

Boisson, who had walked back on to the court while Dart was still sat down, appeared to be out of earshot when the Brit made the comment to the umpire.

She posted several clips from the game later to her Instagram story, with no mention of the comment.

Boisson, who is making her first WTA Tour appearance of the season after struggling with injury, is currently 303rd in the world rankings.

She caused an upset by beating the 62nd-ranked Dart, who lost her serve four times in the match.

The Briton was appearing in her second clay-court match of the season before next month's French Open, having also lost to Varvara Gracheva last month in the first round at the Charleston Open.