The world number one issued a statement on her website saying she is deeply sorry for the way her comments were reported in Rolling Stone magazine.

The case involved two teenage football players who were jailed for raping a 16-year-old girl at an alcohol-fuelled party in east Ohio.

Miss Williams told Rolling Stone: “She’s 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn’t remember?

“It could have been much worse. She’s lucky. Obviously, I don’t know, maybe she wasn’t a virgin, but she shouldn’t have put herself in that position.”

Miss Williams’ comments further ignited the stormy debate over the case, and were widely criticised.

She has now issued a statement to make her views clear.

The statement said: “What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened.

“For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved – that of the rape victim and of the accused.

“I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article.

“What was written – what I supposedly said – is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.

“I have fought all of my career for women’s equality, women’s equal rights, respect in their fields – anything I could do to support women I have done.

“My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old child.”

The rape occurred in August 2011 and footage of it was subsequently distributed through social media.

Trent Mays received one year in juvenile detention, while Ma’lik Richmond was jailed for two years – the minimum sentences for both their crimes.

Read more: Sky News