INDIAN WELLS, California: The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said on Thursday it took “full responsibility” for failing to inform players that microphones were active during practice sessions after private comments by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were broadcast on a livestream ahead of the season-ending WTA Finals.
Practice sessions at Indian Wells were streamed on the WTA’s YouTube channel this week ahead of the tournament’s start on Sunday, with microphones capturing a conversation between world number five Pegula and her coach, Mark Knowles.
In remarks that later circulated widely on social media, the American described French Open champion Andreeva as “a diva” who “needs to be humbled”. She also suggested that Andreeva’s coach, Conchita Martinez, encouraged the 19-year-old’s behaviour.
“The WTA takes full responsibility for failing to inform our players and their teams that microphones, in place to give fans a livestream of the players’ practice, were active on the courts at the WTA Finals,” the governing body said in a statement.
The WTA subsequently removed recordings of Wednesday’s practice sessions from YouTube, although clips of the exchange had already been widely shared online.
A representative for Pegula told The Athletic that the American had “absolutely no idea” her conversation was being livestreamed and had not expected a private discussion during practice to become public.
The representative added that Pegula had contacted those involved to apologise.
Pegula, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, also praised Andreeva during the conversation, describing the world number three as “wonderful” and “smart”.
The WTA Finals are being staged at Indian Wells for the first time and run through November 15.
