UK tennis star Keothavong ‘racially abused’ in Devon

Three men have been arrested in Devon after British tennis player Anne Keothavong alleged that she was racially abused in Devon, on the eve of a Pro-Series tournament.

The former British No 1 wrote on Twitter that she was the victim of a "barrage" of racial abuse as she walked from the car park to her hotel: "I was on my own and completely outnumbered. Gave a statement to the police, hoping CCTV will get them."

Keothavong is due to play in the Aegon GB Pro-Series Open in Barnstaple this week. Her parents fled Laos during the Vietnam war and made their way to Hackney, London, where Keothavong has lived all her life.

Police confirmed that three men had been arrested for the offence and for a separate shoplifting incident.

"Two have been released on police bail to return to Barnstaple police station on November 1; a third man was released with no further action taken," a spokesperson said.

Keothavong has said she will not be withdrawing from the tournament, where the current British No 3 will face Russian teen Ksenia Pervak in the first round. Her current WTA ranking is 98, while Keothavong is ranked 147. ·