“She’s a diva”: Pegula caught on hot mic criticising Andreeva, WTA apologises
Jessica Pegula was caught on a live microphone calling Mirra Andreeva “a diva” who “needs to be humbled” during a WTA Finals practice session in Indian Wells. The WTA has taken “full responsibility” for failing to tell players the microphones were on.
Jessica Pegula and Murra Andreeva, WTA Finals | © WTA / Tennis Majors
World No. 5 Jessica Pegula was caught on a live microphone calling world No. 3 Mirra Andreeva “a diva” who “needs to be humbled” during a practice session at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. The WTA has since apologised for failing to tell players that the microphones were on.
The conversation between the American and her coach Mark Knowles took place after her practice session with Andreeva, livestreamed on the WTA’s YouTube channel, and was picked up by its microphones. Pegula also targeted Andreeva’s coach, Conchita Martinez. The WTA has removed the footage.
“Conchita’s always been very nice to me, but I lost a little respect for her,” Pegula said. “She’s a diva. She needs to be humbled. Conchita eggs on her behaviour.”
Pegula also praised the 19-year-old’s game. With “Coco’s mentality”, she told Knowles, Andreeva would be better than Coco Gauff.
The WTA takes “full responsibility”
The WTA said it took “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”. “We sincerely apologise for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed,” its statement said.
“The microphones were intended to capture the ambient sounds of tennis, not player or coach conversations,” the WTA added. “We are continuing with live streaming of practice but there will not be any audio.”
Pegula’s representative said she had been “completely unaware” that the conversation could be heard by the courtside microphones, and that she had contacted those involved to apologise.
Pegula and Andreeva in different WTA Finals groups
The WTA Finals are played in Indian Wells from November 8 to 15, before moving to Charlotte from 2027. Pegula, 32, is in a group with Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Linda Noskova. Andreeva is in the other group, with Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina and Karolina Muchova. The two players can only meet in the semi-finals or the final.
People in this post
More tennis news
How India became one of tennis’s fastest-growing audiences
Race to Turin, daily: Fritz must beat Alcaraz to stay alive and knock Jodar out
November 6, 2005: The day Tomas Berdych won his first and only ATP Masters title
Ruud holds every service game against Struff and will seek revenge against Borges
Fritz keeps his Turin hopes alive, beats Fils in Paris to set up Alcaraz quarter-final
