French tennis player Lois Boisson has finally addressed the controversial remarks made by Britain’s Harriet Dart during their Rouen Open clash earlier this year—remarks that sparked backlash and debate across the tennis world.
The incident unfolded in April, as Dart struggled through a one-sided first set, trailing 6-0 and falling behind in the second. Amid her frustrations, the British No. 4 made an unexpected appeal to the umpire, captured by courtside microphones, claiming her French opponent “smelled really bad” and urging the official to “tell her to wear deodorant.”
Despite the awkward moment, play continued uninterrupted, with Boisson securing a straight-sets victory. Dart later issued an apology, attributing the remark to the “heat of the moment” and expressing regret.
Boisson, 22, initially remained quiet, only breaking her silence in jest on social media, tagging Dove and cheekily suggesting a potential sponsorship amid the viral frenzy.
The fallout was swift online, with many fans condemning Dart’s conduct, labeling it “disrespectful” and even calling for disciplinary action.
Now, as she prepares for her maiden appearance in the fourth round of the French Open, Boisson has finally spoken more openly about the incident, offering her perspective months after the controversial match.
‘It was not difficult to deal with,’ Boisson insisted. ‘It was okay. It was nothing for me.
‘She maybe made a mistake, then I joked about it, that’s it.’
Boisson has now revealed that she was completely unaware of Dart’s controversial remarks during the match itself. Speaking candidly, the French rising star admitted she “didn’t hear” the comment at the time and only became aware of it “two hours later”—well after the final point had been played.
The Frenchwoman remained adamant that the name-calling did not affect her, adding: ‘It was nothing. Something is cool, you know?
‘I take it with the coolest.’
Boisson will be hoping to carry the same composure onto Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday as she prepares to take on third seed Jessica Pegula at Roland-Garros.
The French wildcard has never progressed this far at a Grand Slam, marking a breakthrough moment in her young career.
Her return to the tour in 2025 comes after a significant setback—a torn anterior cruciate ligament that ruled her out just a week before last year’s French Open.
At the time, Boisson was ranked 152nd in the world, but following a lengthy recovery, her ranking slipped into the high 300s.
Regardless of the outcome against Pegula, Boisson is projected to climb back up the rankings to around 170th, thanks to impressive victories in Paris over Elise Mertens, Anhelina Kalinina, and fellow Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot.
Meanwhile, Dart’s Roland-Garros campaign ended early. The Brit failed to make it past the qualifiers, losing in straight sets to Anastasiya Soboleva, and later exited the doubles draw in the first round alongside partner Kimberly Birrell, falling to Irina-Camelia Begu and Yanina Wickmayer.
