Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore has resigned after his controversial comments about women's tennis.

Moore, 69, said ahead of Sunday's women's final in California that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) "rides on the coat-tails" of the men and that female players should "go down every night on [their] knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were born".

Moore soon apologised for his comments after receiving heavy criticism from the likes of Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova, but he has now stepped down from his role.

Indian Wells owner Larry Ellison said in a statement on the tournament website: "Earlier today I had the opportunity to speak with Raymond Moore. Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and tournament director effective immediately. I fully understand his decision."

Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova had suggested that female players could boycott the tournament in future years if Moore had remained in charge.

Men's world number one Novak Djokovic, who won Indian Wells for a record fifth time on Sunday, has caused a stir in the equal-pay debate by claiming that men should receive more prize money than women as they attract more spectators.