CEO and co-founder of the Indian Wells Masters, Raymond Moore has stepped down after making statements demeaning the contributions of women’s tennis athletes, attracting widespread condemnation. At a media breakfast, Moore said,

“I think the WTA [Women’s Tennis Association] … You know, in my next life, when I come back, I want to be someone in the WTA because they ride on the coattails of the men,” Moore said, according to multiple reports. “They don’t make any decisions, and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born because they have carried this sport. They really have.”

Serena Williams responded,

“Obviously, I don’t think any woman should be down on their knees thanking anybody like that. I think Venus, myself, a number of players have been — if I could tell you every day how many people say they don’t watch tennis unless they’re watching myself or my sister, I couldn’t even bring up that number. So I don’t think that is a very accurate statement. I think there is a lot of women out there who are more … are very exciting to watch. I think there are a lot of men out there who are exciting to watch. I think it definitely goes both ways. I think those remarks are very much mistaken and very, very, very inaccurate.”

The owner of the tournament, Larry Ellison announced Moore’s resignation on Monday night. The Indian Wells Masters is an annual tennis tournament held in southern California. Serena Williams, along with her sister Venus notably boycotted the event for over a decade since Serena faced racist taunts during a 2001 finals match at the venue.

Photo: tumblr
Photo: tumblr

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