Audio recording on the practice courts will be switched off at the WTA finals after private comments made by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were picked up, with the chair of the governing body apologizing to the American for the “unfortunate” incident.
American player Pegula describes Russian teenager Andreeva as ‘a diva’ while chatting with coach Mark Knowles during a practice session, was heard on a YouTube live stream at Indian Wells, the venue for the WTA Tour’s season-ending event from Nov. 8-15.
The WTA took the blame for failing to properly inform players about active microphones, with chairwoman Valerie Camillo saying there was a “lack of advanced notice and clear signage” as she confirmed the audio will now be turned off for practice sessions.
Camillo added: “I want to specifically apologize to Jessica Pegula and (coach) Mark Knowles. What happened was unfortunate and unacceptable.
“Jess is one of the WTA’s best advocates and biggest stars. She doesn’t deserve this distraction.
“As a member organisation, one of the WTA’s main responsibilities is to protect the 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, defeating Maja Chwalińska in the final
Pegula: Let’s keep pushing for more privacy
Pegula, who was also heard saying that French Open champion Andreeva “needs to humble herself” and that her coach, former Wimbledon winner Conchita Martinez, encouraged her player’s behavior, addressed the incident on ESPN on Friday.
The world number 5 said: “Obviously I had no idea and I wasn’t informed that the audio was being recorded. But it is what it is.
“I think it’s something we’ve been fighting a lot over the last couple of years because there’s a lot more surveillance, audio and, I think, access to the players on the tour than there has been in the past.
“I know about the broadcast which is great for the fans, but I think we’ve seen some incidents now throughout the year, the last couple of years really, where it seems very unnecessary.
“I think (this) will definitely revive the topic. Hopefully we can use this incident to continue to push for more player privacy.”
Coco Gauff had called for more privacy in January
Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff – in Pegula’s group at the WTA finals, along with Linda Noskova and world No 1 Elena Rybakina – called for more privacy in January after cameras caught her hitting her racket after losing to Elina Svitolina in 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 reigning champion. Stream tennis contract-free up to NOW and in The Sky Sports app.
