(CNN) —
US Open organizers have expressed “regret” for the way French tennis player Alize Cornet was treated for briefly taking off her shirt on court.
In the sweltering heat at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, Cornet took her top off after realizing she had put it on the wrong way during a 10-minute heat rule break between the second and third set against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.
Cornet, who had been running late getting back to the court, reacted with surprise when she was then handed a code violation by chair umpire Christian Rask.
The incident led to a storm of criticism on social media, with Judy Murray, a former tennis coach and also the mother British star Andy, questioning whether double standards were at work for men and women.
“Alize Cornet came back to court after 10 minute heat break,” tweeted Murray. “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.”
The women’s WTA tour was also critical of the incident, saying in an emailed statement: “Alize did nothing wrong.”
PHOTO:
Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Cornet also suffered problems with the heat at the Australian Open in January.
READ: Djokovic enjoys ice bath as players and fans wilt in US Open heat
“We regret that a Code Violation was assessed to Ms. Cornet yesterday,” said the United States Tennis Association in a statement sent to CNN Sport.
“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.”
Earlier Wednesday, USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier told CNN by phone that Cornet was given a code violation for “changing her shirt at the baseline. That was considered unprofessional conduct … Basically that was a warning and there was no further penalty and there was no fine.”
In the case of Cornet, Widmaier said the USTA had been following the rules of both the men’s and women’s Tours.
“As it relates to female players changing their shirts on court, they will have the right to do so as long as it is when they are sitting in the chair,” said Widmaier. “We don’t want people changing their attire in the middle of the court.”
He added: “Also, in many of our stadiums and other areas, there are places very close to the court, where if the player wants to quickly move to a more private area to change her attire because of these pretty severe weather conditions, we will allow that, and not consider that a change of attire or bathroom break.”
02:09 - Source: Nine Network
Serena Williams cartoon called racist
PHOTO:
Elsa/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Serena Williams of the United States reacts after her defeat in the Women's Singles finals match to Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Now playing
Serena Williams cartoon called racist
PHOTO:
CNN
billy jean king amanpour
Now playing
Billie Jean King: Serena was out of line
Cuomo slams double standard in tennis
PHOTO:
Adam Hunger/AP
Naomi Osaka, of Japan, holds the trophy after defeating Serena Williams in the women's final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, September 8 in New York.
Now playing
Naomi Osaka reacts to controversial win
PHOTO:
Greg Allen/Invision//AP
Serena Williams argues with the chair umpire during a match against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the women's finals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
Now playing
Social media weighs in on Serena's loss
Serena Williams shares scary birth experience
PHOTO:
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Alexis Ohanian (L) and Serena Williams attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Now playing
Serena Williams says 'I do'
PHOTO:
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 31: Serena Williams of the United States serves gets ready by her chair before her match against Johanna Konta of Great Britain during Day 2 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at Spartan Tennis Complex on July 31, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Now playing
Poppy Harlow to Serena Williams: Thank you
Serena's catsuit banned by French Open
serena williams documentary cnnmoney_00003629.jpg
Now playing
Serena Williams: 'I let my racket do the talking'
PHOTO:
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Serena Williams is seen leaving the Versace show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017 on September 23, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images)
Now playing
Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder engaged
serena williams slams raymond moore wire pkg_00012620.jpg
Now playing
Serena Williams slams tournament director's comments
serena williams return to full health intv_00012204.jpg
Now playing
Serena Williams: 'Tired of playing unhealthy'
Coach of tennis star Serena Williams discusses record_00014922.jpg
Now playing
Serena Williams' coach makes predictions
serena williams compton pkg macfarlane_00020822.jpg
Now playing
Exploring Serena Williams' roots in Compton
Serena's catsuit banned by French Open
PHOTO:
Elsa/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Serena Williams of the United States reacts after her defeat in the Women's Singles finals match to Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Now playing
Serena Williams cartoon called racist
PHOTO:
CNN
billy jean king amanpour
Now playing
Billie Jean King: Serena was out of line
Cuomo slams double standard in tennis
PHOTO:
Adam Hunger/AP
Naomi Osaka, of Japan, holds the trophy after defeating Serena Williams in the women's final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, September 8 in New York.
Now playing
Naomi Osaka reacts to controversial win
PHOTO:
Greg Allen/Invision//AP
Serena Williams argues with the chair umpire during a match against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the women's finals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
Now playing
Social media weighs in on Serena's loss
Serena Williams shares scary birth experience
PHOTO:
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Alexis Ohanian (L) and Serena Williams attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Now playing
Serena Williams says 'I do'
PHOTO:
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 31: Serena Williams of the United States serves gets ready by her chair before her match against Johanna Konta of Great Britain during Day 2 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at Spartan Tennis Complex on July 31, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Now playing
Poppy Harlow to Serena Williams: Thank you
serena williams documentary cnnmoney_00003629.jpg
Now playing
Serena Williams: 'I let my racket do the talking'
