‘Sexist’ rule slammed after Alize Cornet’s code violation for changing shirt

WTA Tour
Alize Cornet upset

Alize Cornet fell victim to a “sexist” rule at the US Open after she changed her shirt on court.

Temperatures hit the high 30 degrees Celsius at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday and the 10-minute heat rule was employed which allowed players to take a break.

Cornet, who took on Johanna Larsson in her first-round match, used the rule to leave the court at the end of the second set and when she returned she had a new shirt on.

It was on backwards, though, and she then changed it on court, but umpire Christian Rask hit her with a code violation as the WTA rulebook states female players are not allowed to remove their shirts on court.

However, there is no such regulation in the ATP rulebook about male players not being allowed to remove their shirts on court.

Male players often change their shirts on court and Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Novak Djokovic even had a shirtless ice bath on court during his match on Tuesday.

Former Great Britain Fed Cup captain Judy Murray was one of many to complain about the rule.

Cornet lost her first-round match against Larsson 6-4, 3-6, 2-6.

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