Pegula calls Andreeva a diva after practice session

Jessica Pegula described Mirra Andreeva as a diva during a practice session at Indian Wells, California, that was live‑streamed on Wednesday before the start of the WTA Finals on Sunday.

The Women's Tennis Association said it takes full responsibility for not informing players that microphones were active on the practice courts, which were intended only to capture rally sounds and not conversations. The session was streamed by the WTA before the Tour Finals begin, and YouTube streams of Wednesday's practice sessions have since been removed, although footage had already spread on social media. In a private conversation with her coach Mark Knowles, the world number five also said the French Open champion "needs to be humbled" and claimed her coach Conchita Martinez encourages her behaviour, and she described Andreeva as "a diva".

A representative for Pegula's agent said she was "completely unaware" that the discussion could be heard by courtside microphones, "let alone live‑streamed to the public", and added that "Jess has since been in direct contact with those involved, which she felt was important to do personally rather than through the media". The WTA statement read: "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," and "We sincerely apologise for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed". Pegula, a member of the WTA players' council, also praised Andreeva, calling the world number three "wonderful" and "smart".

The season‑ending WTA Finals, being held at Indian Wells for the first time, run until 15 November. In a separate incident, world number one Elena Rybakina appeared to have an angry exchange with her coach before a practice session with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Pegula's representative and the WTA have been approached for comment.