WTA chair apologises to Jessica Pegula after airing of ‘diva’ comment about Mirra Andreeva, confirms audio deactivated on practice courts at Indian Wells | Tennis News
Audio recording on practice courts will be deactivated at the WTA Finals after private comments made by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were picked up, with the governing body’s chair apologising to the American for the “regrettable” incident.
US player Pegula describing Russian teenager Andreeva as “a diva” while conversing with coach Mark Knowles during a practice session were heard on a YouTube livestream at Indian Wells, the venue for the WTA Tour season-ending event from November 8-15.
The WTA shouldered the blame for failing to properly inform players about active microphones, with chair Valerie Camillo saying there was “a lack of advanced notice and clear signage” as she confirmed audio will now be switched off for practice sessions.
Pegula hopes the incident allows players to push for more privacy
Camillo added: “I want to specifically apologise to Jessica Pegula and [coach] Mark Knowles. What happened was regrettable and unacceptable.
“Jess is one of the WTA’s best advocates and biggest stars. She does not deserve this distraction.
“As a member organisation, one of the primary responsibilities of the WTA is to protect players whenever possible. The players deserve better and we will continue to work to raise the bar for the WTA.”
Andreeva won the French Open this year, beating Maja Chwalińska in the final
Pegula: Let’s keep pushing for more privacy
Pegula, who was also heard saying French Open champion Andreeva “needs to be humbled” and that her coach, former Wimbledon winner, Conchita Martinez, encouraged her player’s behaviour, addressed the incident on ESPN on Friday.
The world No 5 said: “Obviously I had no idea and was not informed that audio was being recorded. But it is what it is.
“I think it’s something that we have fought a lot over the last couple years as there’s a lot more surveillance, audio and, I guess, access to the players at tournaments than there has been in the past.
“I know for broadcasting that it’s great for fans, but I think we’ve seen a couple incidents now throughout the year, the last couple of years really, where it seems highly unnecessary.
“I think [this will] definitely reignite the topic. Hopefully we can use this incident to keep pushing for more player privacy.”
Coco Gauff had called for more privacy back in January
Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff – in Pegula’s group at the WTA Finals, alongside Linda Noskova and world No 1 Elena Rybakina – called for more privacy in January after cameras caught her smashing her racket following defeat to Elina Svitolina at the Australian Open quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Watch the WTA Finals live on Sky Sports from November 15-22, with world No 1 Elena Rybakina the defending champion. Stream tennis with no contract through NOW and on the Sky Sports App.
