Raymond Moore has resigned as Indian Wells Tournament Director. This came after he was accused by World No. 1, Serena Willams and other female tennis players for the controversial comments he made about women tennis.
Moore was criticised after claiming Women Players are riding 'on the coattails of the men and very lucky to be receiving equal prize money'.
The 69-year-old South African, a former professional player, sparked further outcry for 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 this sport".
Although Moore apologised for his remarks later on Sunday, the damage had already been done, with his predecessor Steve Simon, who moved on to become WTA Tour chief executive, particularly scathing in his reaction.
Confirming Moore's resignation late monday, Indian Wells tournamnet owner, Larry Ellison stated his belief that tennis had done more than many sports to champion gender equality. He added that "Nearly half a century ago, Billie Jean King began her historic campaign for the equal treatment of women in tennis". I'm proud to say that it is now a decade long tradition at our tournament at Indian Wells, and all the major tennis tournaments, to pay equal prize money to both the women and the men"
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