India, April 17 -- British tennis player Harriet Dart has issued a public apology following a controversial incident during her first-round match against France's Lois Boisson at the Rouen Open. Dart, the world No. 110, was caught on court microphones asking the chair umpire to tell her opponent to wear deodorant, stating that Boisson "smells really bad."

The incident occurred during a changeover in the second set of their match on Tuesday. Dart, who ultimately lost the match 6-0, 6-3, could be heard making the unusual request to the umpire, who did not respond audibly. Boisson, ranked No. 303 and making her WTA Tour season debut, appeared unaware of the comment at the time.

"Can you tell her (Boisson) to wear deodorant? ... Because the...