Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore said that women players ride the coattails of the men in comments before Serena Williams met Victoria Azarenka in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
"I think the WTA [Women's Tennis Association] -- you know, 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," he said, according to multiple reports. "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."
Moore is a former professional player from South Africa who took over as CEO of Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California in 2012 after being associated with the event for decades.
Talking about the state of women's tennis, Moore said that Williams is "arguably the best female player of all time." But he also said: "I think the WTA have a handful -- not just one or two -- but they have a handful of very attractive prospects that can assume the mantle. You know, Muguruza, Genie Bouchard. They have a lot of very attractive players. And the standard in ladies tennis has improved unbelievably."
Asked to clarify if he was talking about physical attractiveness or competitive attractiveness, Moore responded: "I mean both. They are physically attractive and competitively attractive. They can assume the mantle of leadership once Serena decides to stop. I think they've got - they really have quite a few very, very attractive players."
Azarenka defeated Williams 6-4, 6-4 for the title. Novak Djokovic faced Milos Raonic in the men's final.
Indian Wells CEO says WTA rides men's coattails
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire