Cornet accepts apology from US Open for code violation

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French tennis player Alize Cornet has accepted the apology from the US Open organizers for giving her a code violation after she changed her shirt on Tuesday on the court during the first-round match against Johanna Larsson, reported Eurosport on Thursday.

"I think it’s very fair from them to apologize to me. I really appreciate it. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t think that this code violation would become so famous in less than 24 hours, and I’m very surprised about it," said Cornet, according to Eurosport.

It all began when Cornet removed her shirt and put it back on very quickly because she realized that she had been wearing it wrong. Though spectators saw her sports bra, the French player deliberately turned away from the television camera.

It all began during the game between Alize Cornet and Johanna Larsson on Tuesday. /VCG Photo

However, the umpire Christian Rask gave her a warning immediately for unsportsmanlike behavior. Cornet looked so confused at his decision. After the game, she told reporters that the boiling weather made her suffer but did not talk about the code violation.

The news has caused quite a stir on social media platforms. Andy Murray's mother Judy posted the following on Twitter: " 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 tennis player Tracy Austin retweeted Judy's post and added: " Ridiculous! Voice of reason should prevail. Look at circumstances. We see a full covering sports bra-big deal. Men change their shirt multiple times a match. #sexist."

Cornet receives support from many people, including tennis related, former players and current players. /Screenshot of Twitter

"I believe that should never happen. If I would say my true feelings, it would be bleeped. I think it was ridiculous. It was nothing wrong. Nothing wrong. It wasn't anything disrespectful. She literally changed her shirt because it was backwards. So I couldn't believe this was a conversation," said Victoria Azarenka, according to tennis.com.

Organizers of the US Open soon apologized for the warning: " 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."

The WTA has welcomed the apology and called the code violation "unfair" and said, "it was not based on a WTA rule." The organization also said that Cornet did not do anything wrong.

(Top picture: Cornet at her press conference over the shirt-changing code violation issue /VCG Photo)