Tennis champion Novak Djokovic has fuelled the flames of a damaging row over men and women's prize money ignited by the director of the Indian Wells tournament over the weekend.
Speaking before the event finals, which were won by Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, Raymond Moore said women's tennis "rides on the coat tails" of the men's game and added: "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."
His "astonishing comments" have reopened the debate over prize money, says the Daily Telegraph, and drew a withering response from the likes of Serena Williams, who said his language was "offensive".
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However, Djokovic appeared to show Moore's views some sympathy in the wake of his triumph over Milos Raonic, saying that men "deserve more prize money than women because of a disparity in the level of interest and ticket sales generated", adds the paper.
The men's game "should fight for more [prize money] because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches," said the Serbian player.
"I think that's one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more. Women should fight for what they think they deserve and we should fight for what we think we deserve," he added.
Getting involved in the row could prove to be a big mistake, says Kevin Mitchell of The Guardian.
Moore's comments "would not have sounded out of place at a Donald Trump rally", he argues, and Djokovic should not have opened his mouth.
"In almost accidentally letting his inner beast talk over the top of the mannered diplomat, Djokovic blew it," says the journalist. "He joined the appalling Mr Moore in the dock. He could have said nothing, but he gave the chief executive of the putative 'fifth major' undeserved succour. Moore is the villain du jour, Djokovic his unwitting patron."
However, Djokovic may not be alone in his opinions, argues Russell Fuller of the BBC. "A debate about the relative strengths of the men's and women's game should not be off limits, but the language Ray Moore used was deeply offensive," he says.
Moore later apologised for his remarks, notes Fuller, but Djokovic's opinions "are shared by very many in the men's game".
"He is suggesting prize money at combined events should be distributed on the basis of ticket sales and TV viewing figures. That may lead in future to women being paid more, but could also fatally undermine the principle that men and women should be treated equally for competing on the same stage - irrespective of the number of sets they are asked to play."
