WNBA condemns Raymond Moore’s sexist WTA comments

The WNBA condemned Indian Wells Tennis Garden CEO Raymond Moore’s sexist comments on Monday.

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The WNBA denounced Indian Wells Tennis Garden CEO Raymond Moore’s sexist comments on Monday.

“The WNBA condemns the disparaging remarks made by Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore regarding the women of the WTA,” league president Lisa Borders said in a statement.

Moore told reporters Sunday that he thinks male players have carried the sport of tennis.​

“No, I think the WTA—you know, in my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, (laughter) because they ride on coattails of the men,” Moore said. “They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky.

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“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.”

Borders continued her statement by advocating on behalf of female athletes. 

“Female athletes are no different than their male counterparts,” Borders added. “They inspire millions of fans and work hard to be the best in their sports by competing at the highest levels, breaking records and winning championships. At a time when the physical and emotional benefits of athletic participation have never been more clear, we need to empower female athletes and promote opportunities for girls and women to play sports, rather than promote outdated, offensive and uninformed opinions.”