Raymond Moore, the CEO of Indian Wells Tennis Garden made a host of silly comments on Sunday in advance of the men's final of the BNP Paribas Open — hosted by Indian Wells — between Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic.
When asked about the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) compared to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Moore had a bevy of questionable and borderline insensitive comments.
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Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore's remarks this morning not likely to delight the WTA, its players, or fans: pic.twitter.com/56zSV0SK2X
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 20, 2016
Where to even begin? As if calling WTA officials coattail riders, he then doubles down by saying "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 the sport."
No. Just no.
"Lady players?" No.
"Go down every night on my knees?" No.
But wait, there's more.
More from Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore this morning, further down his remarks: pic.twitter.com/nXNATitvrR
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 20, 2016
This is very bad tennis opinion. Now, yes, Moore is entitled to his opinion. But we are also allowed to say just how bad his opinions are.
His opinions are bad.
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Men's tennis is not far and away more popular than women's tennis. In fact, it's not an unpopular opinion for fans to enjoy women's tennis over men's. Serena Williams is a transcendent athlete. Maria Sharapova is a superstar. Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep are incredibly talented. There is no shortage world-class tennis players on the women's side, from current star Victoria Azarenka to future star Madison Keys.
Also, this is the same sport that had the famous "Battle of the Sexes" match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King.
Bobby Riggs didn't win.
Moore isn't winning either.
UPDATE: Moore released a statement saying he is "truly sorry" for his comments regarding the WTA.
"At my morning breakfast with the media, I made comments about the WTA that were in extremely poor taste and erroneous. I am truly sorry for those remarks, and apologize to all the players and WTA as a whole.
"We had a women's final today that reflects the strength of the players, especially Serena (Williams) and Victoria (Azarenka), and the entire WTA. Again, I am truly sorry for my remarks."
Williams addressed Moore's comments after falling to Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday's BNP Paribas Open final.
.@serenawilliams on Raymond Moore’s comments: pic.twitter.com/vx7dm4ncBb
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 20, 2016
"I just feel like in order to make a comment you have to have history and you have to have facts and you have to know things," Williams added. "You have to know of everything. I mean, you look at someone like Billie Jean King who opened so many doors for not only women's players but women's athletes in general.
"So I feel like, you know, that is such a disservice to her and every female, not only a female athlete but every woman on this planet, that has ever tried to stand up for what they believed in and being proud to be a woman."