They were words that took tennis back to the dark ages, the tournament
director of one of the sport's most prestigious events saying that women
professionals should get "down" on their "knees" every night to thank
some of their male contemporaries.
Except Raymond Moore's comments didn't
come in the distant past; instead the South African made the remarks
Sunday on the eve of the singles finals at the BNP Paribas Open, better
known simply as Indian Wells.
"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," he told reporters, referring to the
organization that runs the women's game. "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."
Moore later apologized but the damage had been done and drew a swift riposte from the leading player of the women's game.
Serena Williams took aim at Moore after
she fell 6-4 6-4 to Victoria Azarenka in the women's final, which turned
out to be more of a spectacle than Novak Djokovic's 6-2 6-0 thrashing
of Milos Raonic in the California desert.
"I don't think any woman should be down on their knees thanking anybody like that," Williams told reporters.
"I
think Venus, myself, a number of players -- 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," added the
21-time grand slam winner, referring to her older sibling, who has
claimed seven majors.
"So I don't think
that is a very accurate statement. I think there are a lot of women out
there who 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."
In backing up her statements, Williams
pointed to last year's U.S. Open, when the women's final sold out before
the men's for the first time. Williams was chasing a calendar-year
grand slam, which hadn't been accomplished since 1988.
"I'm
sorry, did Roger play in that final?" Williams, ousted by Roberta Vinci
in the semifinals, asked. "Or Rafa, or any man, play in that final that
was sold out before the men's final? I think not."
Tennis
great Billie Jean King, who fought tirelessly for equality in sports,
tweeted her disapproval with the 69-year-old Moore.
"Disappointed
in Raymond Moore comments," the 12-time grand slam champion said. "He
is wrong on so many levels. Every player, especially the top players,
contribute to our success
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