The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has said it takes “full responsibility” for failing to tell players that microphones were active on practice courts, after private comments made by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were live-streamed.
The session took place at Indian Wells, California, and was streamed by the WTA before its Tour Finals began on Sunday. In a private conversation with her coach, Mark Knowles, world number five Pegula described Andreeva, world number three, as “a diva”.
The American could also be heard saying the French Open champion “needs to be humbled”, and that her coach, Conchita Martinez, encourages her behaviour. A representative for Pegula’s agent said she had been “completely unaware” that the conversation could be heard by courtside microphones, “let alone live-streamed to the public”.
“Jess has since been in direct contact with those involved, which she felt was important to do personally rather than through the media,” the representative added.
YouTube streams of Wednesday’s practice sessions at Indian Wells have since been removed by the WTA, although the footage had already been shared on social media. It is understood that the microphones were only intended to capture the sound of rallies, not conversations on court, and that future videos will have no audio.
“The WTA takes full responsibility for failing to inform our players and their teams that microphones, in place to give fans a livestream of the players’ practice, were active on the courts at the WTA Finals,” a statement read. “We sincerely apologise for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed.”
Pegula, who is a member of the WTA players’ council, also praised Andreeva, calling her “wonderful” and “smart”. The season-ending WTA Finals, held at Indian Wells for the first time, run until 15 November. Pegula’s representative and the WTA have been approached for comment.
What did Pegula say?
Some of the audio is unclear, but Pegula can be heard describing how Andreeva and Martinez complained throughout the session, even though Andreeva won every game.
Pegula: “Conchita’s always been very nice to me, but I’ve lost a little respect for her because I’m like, this girl – I think she’s a nice girl – she’s just a diva. She needs to be humbled. She needs to be [inaudible] putting her in her place; [inaudible] stand up to her.”
Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion, began working with Andreeva in April 2024. Andreeva reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year and claimed her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June.
Pegula: “Conchita pokes her and eggs on her behaviour.”
Knowles: “She needs somebody to put her in her place. Once she gets that, I think she’ll be really good. I mean, she’s already really good. Look how she moves.”
Pegula: “She moves like a cat. She’s wonderful. She’s got the perfect serve. She’s smart. She anticipates well.”
Pegula, who has not won a Grand Slam, then compared Andreeva to world number four Coco Gauff. Gauff was also 19 when she won her first Grand Slam and, now 22, has won two majors.
Pegula: “It’s so funny how you see her and then you see Coco’s mentality. If she had Coco’s mentality, she’d be better than her.”
Pegula: “The serve, everything, all-around, and she moves just as good. But like mentally, she’s…”
Pegula and Andreeva are in different groups at the WTA Finals but could meet in the semi-finals or final.
What happened with Rybakina?
Pegula’s group opponents are Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Linda Noskova. The practice session involving Rybakina and Noskova at Indian Wells was also live-streamed.
Rybakina, world number one and the Australian and US Open champion, appears to remonstrate with her coach, Stefano Vukov, as they walk to the net. She is heard saying: “Stay here. I’m talking to you. Can you stand here?” The pair shared a few more words, which are inaudible, before crossing to the other side of the court to greet Noskova and her team.
The WTA suspended Vukov in February 2025 following an independent investigation into his behaviour towards Kazakhstan’s Rybakina. He returned to her team that August.
Players have spoken out about cameras before
Pegula was among the players who complained about additional behind-the-scenes cameras at the Australian Open in January. The semi-finalist described the filming as an “invasion of privacy” that needs to be “cut back”.
“You just feel like you’re under a microscope constantly,” she said.