US Open officials express ‘regret’ amid sexism allegations after French player Alize Cornet was given a code violation for taking off her shirt on court
- US Open officials have been slammed as sexist after a female tennis player was punished for removing her shirt on the court
- French tennis player Alize Cornet was hit with a code violation after the incident
- Her match against Swedish Johanna Larsson took place in New York Tuesday
- Cornet was returning from break when she noticed her shirt had been put on the wrong way
- She exposed her sports bra during the quick change that lasted just seconds
- A chair umpire afterward punished the World No. 31 player with a code violation
- Twitter users expressed their fury after the punishment – calling the violation ‘ridiculous’ and ‘sexist’
US Open on Wednesday said it regrets that French player Alize Cornet was slapped with a warning for taking off her shirt during a match – a decision that was widely criticized as being sexist.
Cornet returned from a break in action during her match against Swedish player Johanna Larsson Tuesday with her shirt on backward. She took off the shirt and put it back on correctly while standing near the rear of the court and was given a code violation by chair umpire Christian Rask.
Cornet, who was playing in a doubles match Wednesday, was given no further penalty or fine.
Walkback: US Open released this statement Wednesday expressing regret over the matter of Alize Cornet’s shirt change was handled the day before
US Open officials have come under fire for reprimanding a female tennis player for taking her shirt off on court Wednesday
‘All players can change their shirts when sitting in the player chair. This is not considered a Code Violation,’ the US Open said in a statement released this morning.
‘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 Women’s Tennis Association said the code violation handed to Cornet was unfair.
‘It was not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court,’ the ruling body said in a statement.
‘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.’
French tennis player Alize Cornet (pictured) returned from a heat break when she realized her sports top was on backwards
Cornet exposed her black sports bra during the quick change, which lasted about 10 seconds
Twitter users took to social media to express their fury after Cornet’s punishment – calling the rule ‘ridiculous’ and ‘sexist’. Many critics noted that male players frequently change their shirts while sitting in their chairs during changeovers.
Scottish tennis coach, Judy Murray, said in a viral tweet: ‘Alize Cornet came back to court after 10 minute heat break. Had her fresh shirt on back to front. Changed at back of court. Got a code violation.
‘Unsportsmanlike conduct….. but the men can change shirts on court.’
Former Australian tennis player, Casey Dellacqua, responded to Murray’s tweet and wrote: ‘Ridiculous’.
American tennis player, Bethanie MattekSands, also added in the comments section: ‘that’s weak!’
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Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray said in a viral tweet: ‘Unsportsmanlike conduct….. but the men can change shirts on court’
Other Twitter users chimed in on the conversation Tuesday – calling the punishment sexist among other things
Twitter user Alissa Warren also said: ‘Busted for code violation #alizecornet took 10 sec to turn top right way but #novacdjokovic can sit for minutes half-naked. Same comp.
‘Days after @serenawilliams slammed for disrespecting tennis because she wore a #catsuit. Not fair. Not right. Tell your daughters.’
And Jane-Elise Cherry added: ‘So, hold on… Novak can take his shirt off because of extreme heat & that’s ok.
‘But Alize #Cornet takes a minute to turn her shirt around (with a bra on, BTW), & we’re all losing our minds?!?! Right#USOpen #everydaysexism #youseemoreatthebeach’
Temperatures reached the mid-90’s this week at the tournament, resulting in a heat policy break being implemented.
The United States Tennis Association implemented the 10-minute break for players for safety precaution.
Female players were granted the breaks between the second and third set, and male players, the third and fourth.
Cornet was in the tournament against Swedish tennis player Johanna Larsson. The French player went down to Larsson 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the match Tuesday. Larsson is shown above during a match with Venus Williams on July 2, 2018 in London, England
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