ATP boss Kermode slams Moore's 'disparaging' comments

Ahead of Sunday's BNP Paribas Open finals, Moore alleged that female players "ride on the coattails of the men" and should "thank God Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born", claiming the duo have carried the sport.

ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode.

ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode has become the latest person to slam comments from former Indian Wells chief executive Raymond Moore on women's tennis.

Ahead of Sunday's BNP Paribas Open finals, Moore alleged that female players "ride on the coattails of the men" and should "thank God Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born", claiming the duo have carried the sport.

He has since apologised but Moore's comments have been widely criticised, with world number one Serena Williams saying his words were a "disservice to every female".

However, men's world number one Novak Djokovic — when asked about Moore's remarks — said men deserve more prize money because more people watch them play.

But in a statement Kermode said: "Ray Moore's comments towards women's tennis were disparaging and made in poor taste, as Ray has subsequently acknowledged.

"The ATP fully supports equality across society, while at the same time acknowledging that we operate in the sports and entertainment business.

"The ATP seeks to achieve fair compensation for its players by setting minimum prize money levels for ATP events in accordance with the revenues that are generated from men's professional tennis.

"The ATP also respects the right of tournaments to make their own decisions relating to prize money for women’s tennis, which is run as a separate Tour."