Raymond Moore, the CEO of the BNP Paribas Open, has triggered an angry response following a series of unflattering remarks made about the Women’s tour.
Moore, who has held the prestigious position in the tournament since 2012, spoke about his future desires for the men’s draw. The organizers of the event have recently conducted discussions with the ATP about the possibility of elevating the status of the tournament from a Masters to a newly created ‘Super Masters’. This new status would rank the tournament above Masters level but still below the four Grand Slam tournaments. In a conference with the media on Sunday morning, Moore was asked if he was considering similar plans for the women’s game. Responding with an immediate ‘No’, he went on to criticize the women’s tour.
“They ride on the coattails of the men. They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky”. Moore unexpectedly said.
“ If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank god Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was born, because they have carried this sport. They really have”.
The shocking comments have left many on the tour stunned. Especially with the presence of Serena Williams on the tour, a player who has won 21 Grand Slam tournaments. In 2015 two of the five highest paid tennis players were women, Maria Sharapova (4th) and Williams (5th).
Moore’s press conference wasn’t an entire onslaught of the women’s game, he later on praised Williams as ‘arguably the best player of all time’ on the women’s tour. He also spoke positively about future stars of the women’s game.
“I think the WTA has a handful- not just one or two – but they have a handful of very attractive players that can assume the mantle. Muguruza, Bouchard, they have a lot of very attractive players”. He said.
Prior to becoming the CEO of the event, Moore was heavily involved in the tournament for 25 years. He has been a former owner and managing partner of the event.
There is yet to be any comment from the WTA regarding Moore’s comments.
Update:
Moore has now released a statement of apology following his earlier comment’s about the women’s game.
A hasty apology from Raymond Moore, on his “extremely poor taste and erroneous” comments from hours ago. pic.twitter.com/I4u935JRjJ
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 20 March 2016
