Serena Williams had some strong words in response to BNP Paribas Open tournament director and CEO Raymond Moore, who said that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rides "on the coattails" of the men's game. Williams spoke after her loss to Victoria Azarenka in the tournament final, saying Moore's comments were a "disservice" to the women's game.
"They don't make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky," Moore originally said. "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."
Williams said the comments made by Moore were "very much mistaken and very, very, very inaccurate" based on what women bring to the table in the tennis world. The American star spoke about the comments after losing 6-4, 6-4 to Azarenka in a thrilling finals match. Williams spoke about the popularity of the women's game and also mentioned the career of her sister Venus Williams, which has brought a lot of attention to the sport.
"I think Venus, myself, a number of players - 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," Williams said. "I don't think any woman should be down on their knees thanking anybody like that." Williams added that last year, the women's final of the U.S. Open sold out before the men's for the first time in history.
Billie Jean King also came out to denounce the comments by Moore. "Disappointed in Raymond Moore comments," she said. "He is wrong on so many levels. Every player, especially the top players, contribute to our success."
Novak Djokovic was asked about the comments by Moore after winning the final at Indian Wells Sunday. The Serbian star and world No. 1 player said Moore's comments were "not politically correct," but that the men should "fight for more" when it comes to prize money. Djokovic said that while he respects the WTA, he thinks the men should get more since the men's side brings in more fans and more money to the sport overall.
"I applaud them for that, I honestly do," Djokovic said. "They fought for what they deserve and they got it. On the other hand, I think that our men's tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches. I think that's one of the reasons why, maybe, we should get awarded more. Women should fight for what they think they deserve and we should fight for what we think we deserve."
