The Indian Wells Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis.
Dubbed ‘Tennis Paradise’ for its luxurious surroundings, the California venue is host to an ATP Masters 1000 event, as well as a WTA 1000 competition.
Indian Wells is often considered by many to be the ‘fifth Grand Slam’, and the 16,100-seat main stadium certainly makes it feel as such.
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The tournament delivers a near-perfect execution of both player and fan experience each and every year, but it hasn’t always got everything right.
In 2016, then-CEO and tournament director of the Indian Wells Open, Raymond Moore, made comments that prompted tennis legend Martina Navratilova to suggest female players should boycott the event.
Raymond Moore’s comments about female tennis players in 2016
As per the Guardian, Moore said: “If I was a lady player, I would go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born.
“They have carried this sport. They really have. When I come back in my next life, I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of the men.”
Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, did not hold back in her response.
She said: “It is really disheartening to see Ray Moore offer the extremely prejudiced and very old-fashioned statements regarding women tennis players.”
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“We have made it this far on our own, without help from male players, and will continue to do so. It would be hard to imagine any women wanting to go and play at Indian Wells if Moore stays as the tournament director.”
Billie Jean King, Navratilova’s legendary compatriot, also issued a reply to what Moore had to say.
“He is wrong on so many levels,” said King. “Every player, especially the top players, contribute to our success.”
Novak Djokovic had won the Indian Wells Open for the fifth time the day of Moore’s remarks, and the Serb chose to weigh in on the situation during his post-final press conference.
“Obviously, it’s a very delicate and sensitive subject to talk about,” began Djokovic.
“Women deserve respect and admiration for what they are doing. You know, equal prize money was the main subject of the tennis world in the last seven, eight years.
“I have been through that process, as well, so I understand how much power and energy WTA and all the advocates for equal prize money have invested in order to reach that.
“I applaud them for that. I honestly do. They fought for what they deserve, and they got it. On the other hand, I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more, because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches.
“I think that’s one of the, you know, reasons why maybe we should get awarded more. But, again, you know, we can’t complain because we also have great prize money in men’s tennis is at the right moment in the right time.
“Look, I don’t know what Raymond Moore was exactly referring to when he was saying that, but this is all I can say from my perspective.”
Moore, who apologised for his comments regarding female tennis players, resigned as CEO and tournament director a day later.
When does the 2026 Indian Wells Open start?
The main draw of both the men’s and women’s tournament at the 2026 Indian Wells Open begin on Sunday, 1 March.
Plenty of big names will be in action, including Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff.
45-year-old Venus Williams will also feature in Indian Wells after receiving a wildcard for the event.
Jack Draper is the reigning champion on the men’s side, while Mirra Andreeva will be defending her second WTA 1000 crown on the women’s side.
There will be a total prize money pot of $9,415,725 across men’s singles and doubles, and the same amount across women’s singles and doubles.
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