US Open sorry for ‘sexist’ Alizé Cornet code violation

US Open chiefs admit they were wrong to sanction French tennis star Alizé Cornet for briefly removing her top on court.

Alize Cornet was issued with a code violation for removing her shirt at the US Open yesterday.

US Open chiefs have admitted they were wrong to sanction a female tennis player for removing her shirt on court, an incident which saw the tournament accused of sexism and double standards.

The French tennis star Alizé Cornet was returning to her match against her Swedish rival, Johanna Larsson, in 33C heat in New York, when she noticed she had accidentally put her shirt on back to front during the break.

Turning her back to the cameras, she quickly readjusted her outfit at the back of the court, showing a glimpse of her black sports bra. The switch took about ten seconds.

However, she was stunned to receive a code violation for “unsportsmanlike behaviour” from Christian Rask, the Danish umpire, who immediately issued her with an official warning on the grounds that her actions were in breach of the Women’s Tennis Association rule book.

His decision brought a storm of criticism on social media.

Andy Murray’s mother Judy Murray, a respected voice in the sport, was among those who were quick to point out that the male stars frequently bare their chests on the tennis court with impunity. Top male players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nafal and Novak Djokovic regularly change their shirts to reveal their torsos in full view of the crowd.

Murray tweeted: “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.”

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. https://t.co/sCN4KDXYTb

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) August 28, 2018

Casey Dellacqua, the Australian former doubles champion, slammed the decision as “ridiculous.”

The rule book states that “a player can only change clothes during the end of a set, or during a medical time-out, in an off-court location”. Cornet was not deducted a point because it was a first offence.

“All players can change their shirts when sitting in the player chair. This is not considered a code violation,” said organisers in a statement issued Wednesday.

“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.”

A spokesman for the USTA told the BBC this morning (AEST) that Cornet was penalised because she was returning to court, not sitting in a court side chair.

One observer pointed out: ‘What about when the men celebrate on court, not on the chair?’ with pictures of male tennis players removing their shirts on court.

What about when the men celebrate on court, not the chair? pic.twitter.com/nZFUacAg8N

— bathgatebairn84 (@bathgatebairn84) August 29, 2018

The WTA said the code violation “was unfair and not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court”.

A spokeswoman added: “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.”

The tournament was accused of sexism and hypocrisy on social media.

“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?!?! #USOpen #everydaysexism” tweeted one commentator.

Another wrote: “Busted for code violation #alizecornet took 10 sec to turn top right way but #novacdjokovic can sit for minutes half-naked. Same comp. Not fair. Not right. Tell your daughters.”

Only days earlier, Cornet retweeted a post by Billie Jean King, condemning the “policing of women’s bodies” on the court.

The equal rights pioneer had been criticising the controversial decision by the French Open to ban Serena Williams from wearing a black catsuit.

King had tweeted: “The policing of women’s bodies must end. The “respect” that’s needed is for the exceptional talent @serenawilliams brings to the game. Criticising what she wears to work is where the true disrespect lies.”

With The Times, AAP