ATP's Chris Kermode Responds to Raymond Moore's Controversial Comments on WTA

Raymond Moore’s controversial comments have caused a stir across the tennis realm.   

Ahead of the BNP Paribas Open finals on Sunday, the Indian Wells tournament CEO made sexist remarks at his own event that has seen roaring success among female competitors. 

Moore said Sunday that competitors in the Women’s Tennis Association “ride on the coattails of the men” and “are very, very lucky” to draw the attention they do “because [the men] have carried this sport,” according to Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times.

The ATP, the governing body for men’s tennis, frowned on Moore’s comments Monday, but it didn’t outright say women should earn equal pay at the same events.

Here is the statement from ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode:

"

Ray Moore’s comments towards women’s tennis were disappointing and made in poor taste, as Ray has subsequently acknowledged. The ATP fully supports equality across society, while at the same time acknowledging that we operate in the sports [and] entertainment business. The ATP seeks to achieve fair compensation for its players by setting minimum prize money levels for ATP events in accordance with the revenues that are generated from men’s professional tennis. The ATP also respects the right of tournaments to make their own decisions relating to prize money for women’s tennis, which is run as a separate Tour.

"

Iconic women’s tennis star Billie Jean King argued women pull just as much weight at marquee events such as Moore’s at Indian Wells:

BBC News called Moore’s views “archaic” and “alarming”:

Moore apologized for his comments Monday morning, per Rothenberg:

This controversy comes just a year after the WTA’s biggest star, Serena Williams, ended a 14-year boycott of Indian Wells because of what she perceived to be racism among the fans. 

Williams—who lost Sunday’s final to Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 6-4—said an apology from Moore didn’t erase the intent he had in his remarks, per Rothenberg (h/t SB Nation's James Dator).

"You know, there's only one way to interpret that,” Williams said. "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.”

Praising the accomplishments of male superstars such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is perfectly acceptable. But disregarding the accomplishments of female tennis players who have contributed so much to tennis will be a surefire way to create controversy.