Pegula's Recorded Remarks Ahead of WTA Finals Prompt Apology

American tennis player Jessica Pegula was revealed to have said during a practice session, while speaking with her coach Mark Knowles, that Mirra Andreeva was a "diva" and needed to learn "humility." The remarks were heard on the YouTube live broadcast of a practice session in Indian Wells. The WTA Finals will be played in this city between November 8 and 15.

WTA Chairman Valerie Camillo described the incident as "upsetting and unacceptable" and apologized to Pegula and Knowles. Camillo acknowledged that they had not informed athletes well enough in advance and that the warning signs were not clear. She announced that audio recording devices on practice courts would be turned off for the duration of the tournament.

In the recorded remarks, Pegula had also suggested that Conchita Martinez, coach of French Open champion Andreeva, supported the young player's attitude. The world number five told ESPN she did not know she was being recorded. Pegula said that in recent years surveillance and recording practices affecting athletes' private space had increased, and she expressed hope that the incident would bring renewed attention to players' privacy.