Pegula calls Andreeva a 'diva' in hot-mic remarks, WTA apologises

The recording

Jessica Pegula, ranked fifth in the world, was picked up by a courtside microphone at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California while speaking privately with her coach, Mark Knowles. The clip is dated 4 November, and the session was being livestreamed on the WTA Tour's YouTube channel. Pegula, 32, was not aware that the microphones were live on the court. In the recording she criticises Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old French Open champion ranked third, after a session in which Andreeva won four consecutive games against her.

What Pegula said

Pegula called Andreeva a 'diva' and said she had lost a little respect for Conchita Martínez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion who has coached Andreeva since April 2024. She accused Martínez of stirring up Andreeva's behaviour on court.

“I think she's a nice girl, she's just a diva. She needs to be humbled.”

Pegula also said Andreeva needed someone to put her in her place. Her remarks were not wholly negative, since she praised Andreeva's serve, movement and anticipation, and suggested the 19-year-old could surpass Coco Gauff, the 22-year-old two-time Grand Slam champion, if she took on Gauff's mentality. BBC reported that some expletives from Pegula, who has not won a Grand Slam and sits on the WTA players' council, were audible on the recording.

Knowles and the on-court exchange

Knowles agreed with the criticism and said Andreeva treats Martínez badly. The two remained on court after the session, and the courtside microphone picked up their conversation. Some of the audio is unclear, and parts of the transcripts circulating in reports are marked as inaudible, so the exact wording in several places cannot be confirmed.

The WTA's response

The WTA issued a statement on Thursday, 5 November, admitting it had failed to tell players and their teams that the microphones were active.

“We sincerely apologize for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed.”

The tour said it takes full responsibility for the microphones, which were meant to give fans a livestream of practice, being active on the courts at the WTA Finals. That season-ending championship is for the top eight singles players and doubles teams, and this year it is held at Indian Wells for the first time. All practice streams from the event have since been removed from YouTube, although footage has circulated on social media. Andreeva's and Pegula's camps were contacted for comment.

Reaction

Clips spread quickly on social media after the recording came to light. Many commenters sided with Pegula's criticism of Andreeva, while others questioned whether players' private conversations should be recorded and streamed at all. Some argued that players should be able to speak freely on a practice court without expecting to be heard by the public.