WTA apologises after practice microphones broadcast Pegula’s comments
The Women’s Tennis Association apologised after Jessica Pegula’s discussion of Mirra Andreeva was captured during a streamed practice. It accepted responsibility for failing to inform players and their teams about active microphones. Existing practice streams were removed, and coverage will continue without sound as the players prepare for the season-ending tournament in Indian Wells.
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Players were not told the microphones were active
The Women’s Tennis Association, which runs the women’s professional tour, apologised after Jessica Pegula’s practice conversation was broadcast from Indian Wells in the United States. Pegula was speaking to coach Mark Knowles about Mirra Andreeva and her coach Conchita Martinez. The WTA accepted responsibility for failing to tell players and teams that court microphones were active.[1], [2]
The association said the microphones were meant to carry ambient tennis sounds, but acknowledged that conversations had also been captured without appropriate safeguards. Existing practice streams from the event were removed from YouTube. Practice pictures will remain available without audio. A tour source described the revised arrangements to Front Office Sports before the Finals’ scheduled Sunday start.[1], [2]
Pegula criticised behaviour and praised Andreeva’s game
Pegula, ranked fifth in the world, objected to the way Andreeva spoke to her coach while ahead in a situation she described. She alleged that Martinez encouraged the behaviour. Elsewhere she praised Andreeva, the world number three, as smart and a good player, and compared her mentality with Coco Gauff’s. The comments were made during practice rather than a press conference.[1], [2]
Pegula also serves on the WTA players’ council. Martinez has coached Andreeva since 2024. Representatives for Pegula, Gauff and Andreeva did not immediately answer requests for comment from Front Office Sports. Streamed practices are common at tennis events including the US Open and the BNP Paribas Open, which also takes place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.[1], [2]
At January’s Australian Open, cameras had captured Gauff breaking her racket after a quarter-final defeat. She said she believed she was out of view, and Pegula supported her concerns about being filmed away from the court. Pegula also said she had seen online footage zooming in on players’ phones, describing a sense of being filmed throughout the day.[2]
Eight players prepare for the season finale
The Finals, featuring the tour’s top eight players, are scheduled for 8–15 November. Pegula’s group includes Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Linda Noskova. Andreeva is in the other group with Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina and Karolina Muchova. The event will move from Indian Wells to Charlotte next year.[1], [2]
