Serena Williams has issued an apology for her comments concerning the rape of a teenage girl in the USA.

The women's world number one recently questioned why the 16-year-old involved in last year's Steubenville rape case was so intoxicated before she was assaulted by a number of her peers.

Williams told Rolling Stone: "Do you think it was fair, what [the two males who were found guilty] got? They did something stupid, but I don't know.

"I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you: Don't take drinks from other people.

"She's 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn't remember? It could have been much worse. She's lucky."

Following a backlash over the quotes, the 31-year-old has now attempted to make amends.

"What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me," Williams said in a statement. "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."

Williams is currently preparing to defend her title at Wimbledon.