Indian Wells CEO and former professional tennis player Raymond Moore is in hot water after his controversial comments regarding women's tennis.

"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," Moore said. "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 Rafael Nadal were born because they have carried this sport. They really have."

2016 BNP Paribas Open - Day 14
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport
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Moore's comments came moments before Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka were set to face-off in the BNP Paribas Open. Before apologizing for his lewd comments, Williams was able to respond to what Moore said.

"Obviously, I don't think any woman should be down on their knees thanking anybody like that," she said. "I think Venus [Williams], myself, a number of players have been -- 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. So I don't think that is a very accurate statement."

Moore apologized for his comments after the match.

"You know, there's only one way to interpret that. Get on your knees, which is offensive enough, and thank a man, which is not -- we, as women, have come a long way. We shouldn't have to drop to our knees at any point," Williams said.

 

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