British tennis player Harriet Dart has apologised after asking the chair umpire to tell her opponent to put on deodorant because she “smells really bad”.

While losing 6-0, 6-3 to French player Loïs Boisson in the first round of the clay-court Rouen Open, Dart was picked up by a microphone during a changeover complaining to the umpire about Boisson’s body odour.

“Can you tell her to wear deodorant? … Because she smells really bad,” Dart said.

After the footage spread on social media, Dart posted an apology on her Instagram stories.

“It was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret,” she said.

“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.”

Boisson, who made her first WTA Tour appearance of the season and is working her way back up from 303rd in the rankings after injuries, gave a light-hearted response.

She posted a photo on Instagram of her on court with a Dove deodorant edited into the frame above her hand, tagging the company and writing that they “apparently need a collab”.

AP