By Sneha Rajaram
Top tennis player Novak Djokovic responded today to sexist comments made yesterday by Ray Moore, the CEO of the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
So what was Djokovic’s response? Short answer: more sexist comments.
In fact, it’s hard to decide which of them wins this sexism tournament. So let’s juxtapose their comments from yesterday (Moore) and today (Djokovic) and review the game, ball by ball. Prepare to move your head side to side, from one player to another. Moore gets first serve:
Moore (yesterday): In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA [Women’s Tennis Association] because they ride on the coattails of the men.
Djokovic (today): [Moore’s comments were] not politically correct.
Moore wins this one hands down. 15-0.
Moore (yesterday): They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky.
Djokovic (today): [Women tennis players] fought for what they deserve and they got it.
Hmm…okay, Djokovic, we’ll give this point to Moore too, although we don’t understand this funda of fighting for what you deserve and therefore deserving it. 30-0.
Moore (yesterday): 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.
Djokovic (today): [But the male tennis players] should fight for more.
Errr what? This one still goes to Moore, obviously, but Djokovic is beginning to look like a contender. Game point, Moore.
Moore (yesterday): [Players Eugenie Bouchard and Garbine Muguruza are some of the tournament’s] “attractive prospects” … “They are physically attractive and competitively attractive.”
Djokovic (today): Stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches. I think that is one of the … reasons why maybe we should get awarded more [prize money].
Oooh. Djokovic makes a comeback. Moore, your sexism is beginning to sound so last century. We’re gonna have to award this point to Djokovic. Fans, hang in there. 40-15.
Djokovic (today): As long as it is like that and there is data and stats available and information … upon who attracts more attention, spectators, who sells more tickets and stuff like that, in relation to that it has to be fairly distributed.
Moore (yesterday): I made comments about the WTA that were in extremely poor taste and erroneous. … I am truly sorry for those remarks, and apologise to all the players and WTA as a whole.
Djokovic is turning this around. 40-30.
Djokovic (today): It’s knowing what they have to go through with their bodies, and their bodies are much different than men’s bodies. They have to go through a lot of different things that we don’t have to go through.
Moore (yesterday): We had a women’s final today that reflects the strength of the players, especially Serena and Victoria, and the entire WTA.
Yyyyes, something’s definitely up here. Keep your eyes on the ball. Deuce.
Djokovic (today): You know, the hormones and different stuff, we don’t need to go into details. Ladies know what I’m talking about.
Moore (yesterday): Again, I am truly sorry for my remarks.
Argh! Moore, you just gave that one away on a silver platter! Advantage Djokovic.
Looks like we’ll need another point to decide the winner. Who do you think will get this?
(Hat tip to Serena Williams for doing a proper vaanthi on Ray Moore.)