New York, August 29: A French women's tennis player named Alize Cornet was handed a violation for taking her shirt off on court at the US Open 2018. The violation handed to the player has sparked an outrage on the social media with many terming the Grand Slam's decision making authority's move as "sexist." The men players are often seen changing shirts on courts during matches, but no such violation is ever handed to them.
It should be noted that an extreme heat policy is at effect at the US Open 2018, that allows female players to take a 10-minute break before the start of the deciding third set. Playing against Johanna Larsson, and returning after the 10 minute break, Cornet realised that he was breaking her shirt "on back to front" and took it out and wore it properly after going a step back. Watch the video of Alize Cornet changing on the court following which she was handed a violation which has created an uproar on the social media:
Fans and tennis observers have pointed out on Twitter that Cornet was wearing a sports bra underneath and yet she was handed the violation. Judy Murray also came in support of the player on Twitter. Check her tweet below:
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
The US Open issued the 'US Open Statement on Change of Attire Policy' after the incident that said "she was only assessed a warning with no further penalty or fine." Read the full statement issued by the US Open in the tweet below:
US Open Statement on Change of Attire Policy pic.twitter.com/Kt7EcuPz1S
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2018
Cornet lost the match to world No.81 Larsson by 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The match lasted for two hours and 24 minutes. But if Twitter reactions are anything to go by, Cornet seems to be the favorite of the masses for what seems to be a fight not just against a violation handed to her, but also concerning a larger question that the game of Tennis has been grappling with for a long time: the equality of gender pay and rules.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2018 12:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).