US Open apologises to Cornet after shirt-change controversy

Cornet lost to Johanna Larsson 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open, but the match was more notable for an incident following the permitted break in play between the second and third sets.

In searing heat and humidity and about to receive serve, the World No.31 realised that she had put her fresh kit on back to front, and quickly turned her back to correct the issue.

She was then issued with a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct - which prompted outrage as male players change their shirts at the side of court as a matter of course.

However, the USTA have made a statement today clarifying the situation:

"All players can change their shirts while sitting in the player chair. This is not considered a code violation.

"We regret that a code violation was assessed to Miss 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.

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) responded with their own statement, which read: "The code violation that USTA 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."