After the official anger says players on the WTA Tour 'Coattails' Men

The final Sunday of the BNP Paribas Open, one of the largest joint events ATP-WTA outside the Grand Slams, is often a showcase for tennis superstars with women and finals of men played back to back.

A few hours before the start parties, however, the focus instead was on Raymond Moore, the tournament director, who told the media Sunday morning that female tennis players who were "lucky "and owes its star status game of men.

"In my next life when again want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of men," Moore said. "They do not make any decisions and they are lucky. They're very, very lucky. If a player Lady, I would go every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were born, that have led to this sport . I really have. "

Hours later, Victoria Azarenka defeated Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the women's final. It was the first appearance of Williams in the final of the tournament since 2001, when he was booed throughout the match, making her not to return to the event until last year.

During the awards ceremony, Moore said, "I would take a few seconds of your time to publicly thank Serena, start the comeback here in Indian Wells, and put the bad controversy we had to bed."

But a new controversy began. Williams saw Moore's statements before his postgame conference and quickly press reported.

"I do not think no woman should be on their knees thanking anyone like that," he said. "I think Venus, myself, a number of players - if I could tell you every day how many people say they see tennis unless they are watching me or my sister -. I could not even open that number So I do not think this is a very accurate statement. "

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"I think there are a lot of women out there that are very exciting to watch. I think there are a lot of men out there that are very interesting to see. I think it definitely goes both ways."

Williams rejected the idea that Moore's comments could have been misinterpreted.

"There is only one way to interpret that," he said. " 'Kneel', which is sufficiently offensive, and 'thanks to a man'? We, as women, we have come a long way. We must have knees at any time".

Williams expressed particular shock that Moore could make comments after last year's US Open, when the excitement over his attempt to Grand Slam caused tickets to the women's final to sell before the men's final for the first time in tournament history .

"Sorry, Roger did play in that final?" Asked Williams. "O Rafa, or any man, playing in the final which sold out before the men's final? I think not."

Williams and Azarenka invoked Billie Jean King, one of the founders of the WTA and an advocate of equal prize money for women.

"You look at someone like Billie Jean King, who opened many doors for players not only women but women athletes in general," Williams said. "Therefore, I feel like that's a bad example for her and all women - not just a female athlete, but all women on this planet - who has tried to defend what they believed to be the pride of being a woman . "

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