Raymond Moore stepped down late Monday as chief executive of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California and director of its tournament, the BNP Paribas Open, a day after making comments about female tennis players that drew strong rebukes from many in tennis, including Serena Williams, the runner-up at the tournament and the world’s No. 1 women’s player.
Moore’s decision to resign was announced in a statement by Larry Ellison, the billionaire businessman who owns the tournament.
“Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as C.E.O. and tournament director effective immediately,” Ellison said.