Raymond Moore, the CEO and tournament director of Indian Wells, said something profoundly stupid today. Before Serena Williams'finals loss to Victoria Azarenka at that same tournament today, Moore took some time to say something to the press that sounded right out of the 1940s.
When the subject of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and its importance was broached by a reporter, Moore provided a response that was anything but nuanced.
"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," said Moore. "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."
That's a lot to unpack. Not only did Moore belittle women's tennis in a single soundbite, but he managed to work in the phrase "go down every night on my knees" while asking women to grovel at the feet of their male counterparts. Moore's comments were shockingly sexist and outdated, and Williams was having none of it.
"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's a very accurate statement," Williams said. "If you read the transcript, you can only interpret it one way. I speak very good English. I'm sure he does, too. You know, there's only one way to interpret that. Get on your knees, which is offensive enough, and thank a man, which is not -- we, as women, have come a long way. We shouldn't have to drop to our knees at any point."
An argument could be made that Williams is not only the biggest star of women's tennis, but of tennis in general. Her historic dominance has brought huge ratings for her matches, and though she is off to a slow start in 2016, her presence on the court alone brings an audience all its own. She's been a must-watch for almost her entire career.
Moore later apologized for his comments, but as they say, this is probably a case of too little, too late.
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[Via Sports On Earth]
