Move over, line-call controversies—tennis just got a whole lot fresher. British tennis player Harriet Dart found herself in the middle of an unexpected and, let’s be honest, hilarious controversy at the Rouen Open when she asked the umpire to tell her opponent, French wildcard Lois Boisson, to “wear deodorant.” Yes, you read that right: the drama wasn’t about foot faults or Hawkeye, but about body odor.

“Can You Tell Her to Wear Deodorant?”

During a second-set changeover, with Dart trailing on the scoreboard and perhaps in patience, courtside microphones picked up her plea to the umpire:

“Can you tell her to wear deodorant? She smells really bad.”

The umpire, likely wishing for a mask and a manual on “unexpected umpiring scenarios,” didn’t visibly respond. Meanwhile, Boisson, blissfully unaware, was busy winning the match 6-0, 6-3. As the clip made its way to social

media, tennis Twitter did what it does best: volleyed memes, puns, and hot takes faster than a Rafael Nadal forehand.

Social Media Has a Field Day

Fans wasted no time. One user quipped,

“The smell of victory, literally.”
Another chimed in,
“The only scent here is success.”
And, in a nod to Dart’s rough day on court, a viral tweet read:
“Dart’s game stank more than her opponent.”

Boisson’s Response: “Apparently Need a Collab”

But it was Lois Boisson who truly aced the aftermath. Instead of firing back, she posted a photoshopped image of herself holding a can of Dove deodorant while serving, tagging the brand and writing:

“Apparently need a collab.”
She even added a pair of laughing emojis and prayer hands for good measure. Dove’s official Instagram joined in, reposting the story with the caption:
“Smells like confidence.”

Social media erupted in applause for Boisson’s “mic-drop moment.” As one fan put it:

“Lois Boisson is funny for this. Glad she’s not taking things too personally.”
Another declared:
“That’s the drama I love on the WTA!”

Dart’s Apology: “Heat-of-the-Moment”

Harriet Dart, to her credit, quickly realized she’d served herself a PR double fault. She took to Instagram to apologize:

“I want to apologize for what I said on the court today; it was a heat-of-the-moment comment I truly regret. That’s not how I want to conduct myself, and I take full responsibility. I have a lot of respect for Lois and how she competed today. I will learn from this and move forward.”

Changeovers in tennis are usually a time for players to regroup and refuel, but for some, these short breaks have become the stage for some of the sport’s most memorable—and bizarre—moments. From mid-match candy binges and espresso orders to cheeseburgers and viral rumors, here are the wildest things tennis pros have done during changeovers.

Marcus Willis: Snickers and Soda for the Win

British doubles specialist Marcus Willis, now ranked inside the world’s top 100 in doubles, first gained cult status for his unconventional approach to match nutrition. During an ATP Challenger singles match in Knoxville, Tennessee, Willis stunned spectators and commentators alike by downing a Snickers bar and a can of soda right on the bench during changeovers. The scene was so outlandish that commentators joked about his resemblance to “Cartman” from South Park, a nod to Willis’s then-chunky physique and irreverent attitude. Remarkably, Willis went on to win the match, further cementing his reputation as a tennis maverick.

Serena Williams: The Espresso Miracle

In one of the most talked-about changeover moments, Serena Williams, trailing after a rough first set at the 2015 Hopman Cup in Perth, politely requested an espresso through the chair umpire. The unusual courtside order was fulfilled, and the caffeine seemed to work wonders: Serena stormed back to win the match, later joking that it was “miracle coffee.” The moment became legendary not just for the on-court turnaround but also for Serena’s charm and the umpire’s good-natured response.

Corentin Moutet: Coffee, Controversy, and Crowd Participation

Frenchman Corentin Moutet has developed a reputation for the unpredictable, but even by his standards, his coffee quest at the 2024 Madrid Open was extraordinary. After a long, cold evening on court, Moutet repeatedly asked the chair umpire for a cup of coffee during a changeover. When his request was denied—“Corentin, we don’t provide coffee,” the umpire replied—a fan in the stands took matters into their own hands. The supporter bought an espresso and handed it to Moutet over the rail, prompting laughter and applause from the crowd. Security was called, but the moment was already immortalized as a classic example of tennis’s quirky side.

Jim Courier: A Chapter Between Sets

Long before snack attacks and coffee runs, Jim Courier set the bar for unusual changeover behavior at the 1993 ATP Championships in Stuttgart. After losing the first set to Andrei Medvedev, Courier pulled out a copy of Armistead Maupin’s novel “Maybe the Moon” and started reading it on the bench. The move, which Courier later described as a desperate attempt to clear his head, left fans and commentators baffled. Unfortunately, the literary break didn’t help his game—Courier lost the match after squandering four match points—but the image of a Grand Slam champion engrossed in a novel mid-match remains iconic.

Jenson Brooksby: The Cheeseburger Changeover

Adding to the lore of eccentric tennis changeovers, American Jenson Brooksby made headlines when he was spotted eating a cheeseburger during a changeover at a recent ATP event. Brooksby, known for his unorthodox game and mental resilience, was in the midst of a comeback after two years away from the tour. The cheeseburger moment, which quickly went viral on tennis social media, became a symbol of Brooksby’s relaxed approach and his ability to stay unfazed under pressure. It fit perfectly with his reputation for doing things his own way, both on and off the court.

Francisco Comesana: The Smoking Story That Wasn’t

One of the most viral tennis rumors of 2024 involved Argentine player Francisco Comesana at the Miami Open. Social media and several news outlets reported that Comesana had smoked a cigarette courtside during a changeover and even asked the umpire for a lighter. The story quickly spread, complete with supposed eyewitness accounts and screenshots. However, it was later debunked: Comesana was not actually smoking, and the object in his hand was for medical purposes, not a cigarette. The incident nevertheless became a talking point and a perfect example of how quickly a quirky courtside moment can become tennis folklore—even when it never really happened.

Why Do Players Do It?

Changeovers are a rare moment of solitude in the relentless mental and physical grind of professional tennis. For some, it’s a chance to reset with a quirky ritual, a comfort snack, or even a caffeine boost. For others, it’s a way to break tension or simply entertain themselves—and the fans. Whatever the reason, these moments remind us that even at the highest level, tennis players are human, prone to cravings, nerves, and the occasional need for a good book or a cheeseburger.