Controversial Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore has resigned, one day after igniting controversy for suggesting female tennis players “ride on the coattails” of the men’s game.
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Moore later apologised, saying his comments were “in extremely poor taste” and that he was sorry.
"Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and Tournament Director, effective immediately," owner Larry Ellison said in a statement Tuesday. "I fully understand his decision."
Steve Simon, the chief executive of the WTA whom Moore had succeeded as tournament director at Indian Wells, was among those in the sporting community to condemn the remarks. Simon called Moore’s words “a breach of our code of conduct.”
"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 Monday before Serena Williams faced Victoria Azarenka in the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
"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."
Before the backlash began, Moore was asked how long he planned to remain as CEO. "Firstly, I love what I'm doing. I'm passionate about it. I enjoy it," Moore said. "Who knows who the face of the tournament will be down the road. But I don't think that, oh, I'm going to stop next year or three years.”
Not even close.
