The tournament director of one of tennis' most prestigious events has resigned after saying that female players should get "down every night on" their knees to thank some of their male counterparts.
Raymond Moore stepped down as the CEO and tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open, better known simply as Indian Wells, after making his comments on Sunday.
"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 told reporters, referring to the organization that runs the women's game. "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 later apologized but the damage had been done and drew swift reaction.
"Earlier today I had the opportunity to speak with Raymond Moore," said BNP Paribas Open owner Larry Ellison. "Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and tournament director effective immediately. I fully understand his decision."
Ellison said he respected equality in sports, including equal prize money among genders and credited tennis legends like Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Venus Williams and Serena Williams for paving the way.
Serena Williams had slammed Moore's comments as "wrong on so many levels."
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