US Open organisers express regret after Cornet warned for changing top on court

The Frenchwoman returned from the 10-minute heat break between the second and third sets during her first-round clash with Johanna Larsson of Sweden and realised she had her top on back to front.

Cornet quickly switched the top around standing behind the baseline and was astonished to be given a code violation by the umpire.

The decision caused a stir on social media, with criticism from the likes of Judy Murray and Billie Jean King, and tournament organisers have now said Cornet should not have received a warning and will not face a fine.

A statement read: “All players can change their shirts when sitting in the player chair. This is not considered a code violation.

“We regret that a code violation was assessed to Ms Cornet yesterday. We have clarified the policy to ensure this will not happen moving forward. Fortunately, she was only assessed a warning with no further penalty or fine.

“Female players, if they choose, may also change their shirts in a more private location close to the court, when available. They will not be assessed a bathroom break in this circumstance.”

The WTA welcomed the US Open’s response, saying in a statement: “The code violation that USTA (United States Tennis Association) handed to Alize Cornet during her first round match at the US Open was unfair and it was not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court.

“The WTA has always been and always will be a pioneer for women and women’s sports. This code violation came under the Grand Slam rules and we are pleased to see the USTA has now changed this policy. Alize did nothing wrong.”

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka weighed in after beating Daria Gavrilova in the second round in New York.

“If I would say my true feelings, it would be bleeped out, because I think it was ridiculous,” she said. “It was nothing wrong. It wasn’t anything disrespectful. I couldn’t believe this was a conversation. I’m glad they apologised, and I hope this never happens again.”

The Cornet incident is the second row over women’s clothing to emerge at the US Open after the French Tennis Federation president revealed Serena Williams’ catsuit would no longer be permitted at the French Open, saying players have to “respect the game”.

Azarenka believes women are judged by different standards to men and wants the WTA to be at the forefront of the fight for equality.

She said: “With things and issues like this, it needs to stop at the beginning. It cannot develop any more. It’s enough. The thing with the catsuit, I personally don’t understand it. No idea what it means disrespecting the game playing in the catsuit.

“There is always a double standard for men and women. As players, as representatives of the WTA Tour, I believe we’re going to do the best we can to make sure that we are the most progressive sport and continue to break those boundaries, because it’s unacceptable.”