Calcutta: A code violation warning given to world No. 31 Alize Cornet has got the tennis world aflutter. The WTA criticised the US Open rules and the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which organises the US Open, said that there was no violation.

"Alize did nothing wrong" - that was the overwhelming sentiment. Alize was given a code violation for taking her shirt off on court, during her US Open first-round match against Johanna Larsson on Tuesday.

Cornet changed her shirt during the break between the second and third sets, but realised it was back-to-front and switched it on court. She took about 10 seconds to make the change, briefly showing Flushing Meadows spectators her sports bra. She deliberately turned away from television cameras before doing so.

The chair umpire for the match, Christian Rask, immediately issued a warning. Cornet looked on in disbelief.

That decision was decried by the WTA as "unfair".

US Open organisers said they "regret" that Cornet was given a code violation.

The WTA made it clear in a statement that the umpire's ruling "was not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court" and added that "Alize did nothing wrong".

Cornet, 28, lost 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 to Sweden's Larsson in the searing New York heat.

In a statement, US Open director of communications Chris Widmaier said on Wednesday: "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. 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."

The statement was posted on the US Open's official website and the USTA's official Twitter handle.

On Tuesday, stifling heat and humidity at Flushing Meadows forced five male players to retire because of heat-related issues.

Former Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua called Cornet's warning "ridiculous" while five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands said it was "weak", according to the BBC.

The WTA statement on Wednesday also added: "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."<>Guidelines in the Grand Slam rule book state that female players are given change of attire breaks upon request.

In all cases of players taking toilet breaks or change of attire breaks, the nearest assigned bathroom should be used, according to the Grand Slam rule book. "Additional breaks will be authorized but will be penalised... if the player is not ready to play within the allowed time.

"Any player abuse of this rule will be subject to penalty in accordance with the Unsportsmanlike Conduct section of the Code of Conduct," the rules stated.

Although Cornet's shirt change was a spur-of-the-moment situation that US Open officials further assessed Wednesday, it quickly prompted a sexism debate over social media on Tuesday given that male players often change their shirts in front of crowds - particularly during the latest heat wave in New York. Both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were seen on television on Tuesday changing their T-shirts during their matches. That was while they were sitting, however.

Former British tennis player and Andy Murray's mother Judy came to Cornet's defence 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," she tweeted.

The clothing issue comes on the heels of French Open officials banning Serena Williams' catsuit outfit in the future, to which Serena batted down the uproar being an issue. "It's fine," she told reporters earlier this week.