American tennis star Jessica Pegula probably wishes someone had told her the microphones were on during a practice session at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells on Wednesday. That’s because the 32-year-old was caught on a hot mic criticizing fellow tennis star Mirra Andreeva and her coach, 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
To make matters worse, the conversation was being streamed live on the WTA YouTube channel.
Pegula was talking with her coach, Mark Knowles, after a practice session with Andreeva, and microphones picked up their conversation. According to The Big Lead, Jessica Pegula was unaware that their conversation was being broadcast.
Jessica Pegula Calls Mirra Andreeva A Diva Who Needs To Be Humbled
During the conversation with her coach, Jessica Pegula complained that the 19-year-old Russian tennis star treats her coach poorly, despite dominating their practice session.
“I think she’s a nice girl; she’s just a diva. She needs to be humbled,” Pegula said.
She also criticized Conchita Martinez, who has coached Mirra Andreeva since 2024.
“Conchita’s always been very nice to me, but I’ve lost a little respect for her,” Pegula said.
Jessica Pegula was particularly bothered by Andreeva getting angry with her coach despite leading their practice set 4-0.
“If I was a coach and my girl, you just played four great games, and you’re up 4-0, and you’re mad at me, hitting balls at me … first of all, that’s disrespectful to the other person … like, shut the f— up,” Pegula complained, according to the New York Post.
She also accused Martinez of encouraging Andreeva’s behavior rather than correcting it, saying, “Conchita pokes her and eggs on her behavior.”
Meanwhile, amidst her scathing criticisms, Jessica Pegula also praised Andreeva’s talent, saying she moves like a cat and has an excellent serve. She even suggested Andreeva could be better than Coco Gauff if she had Gauff’s mentality.
WTA Removes Practice Videos After Jessica Pegula’s Comments Go Viral
According to The Athletic, the WTA subsequently removed its practice livestreams after Jessica Pegula’s conversation began circulating online. Unfortunately for Jessica Pegula, the clips had already spread across social media.
“We sincerely apologize for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed,” the tour said.
Of course, Jessica Pegula has never been afraid to express her opinion. Earlier this year, she spoke out about social media influencers disrupting the U.S. Open.
“People are down there trying to perform, and it’s their career and their job,” Pegula said. “And it seems a bit disrespectful.”
Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva has become one of tennis’s biggest young stars, producing remarkable comeback victories along the way.
The two are in different groups for the WTA Finals, which begin November 8, but could meet if they advance. That would certainly make for an interesting match.