Pegula’s Andreeva Remarks Captured Before WTA Finals

Jessica Pegula’s comments about Mirra Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martinez, were captured by a microphone during a practice session ahead of the WTA Finals, prompting the removal of practice-session videos from the tournament’s online channels, according to reports. The WTA Finals are scheduled to begin November 8 at Indian Wells, California. In the recorded conversation, Pegula criticised Andreeva’s behaviour toward Martinez and said the teenager needed to be humbled. Pegula also questioned Martinez’s handling of the situation. The reports say the conversation followed an incident in which Andreeva became irritated with her coach during a practice game while ahead in the score. Pegula’s remarks included criticism of Andreeva’s attitude, but she also praised the Russian player’s tennis. She complimented Andreeva’s serve, movement, anticipation and intelligence, and said Andreeva could be better than Coco Gauff if she had Gauff’s mentality. The conversation was recorded without Pegula appearing to know that microphones were capturing it. The practice videos were subsequently removed from WTA online channels, including its YouTube channel, according to reports. One account...