‘Needs To Be Put in Her Place’ – Jessica Pegula Caught Criticising Andreeva on Camera

Jessica Pegula has been caught up in controversy after making a series of remarks about Mirra Andreeva during a livestream of her practice session on Wednesday.

The world No.5 was conducting a hitting session in Indian Wells, which is hosting the WTA Finals starting this Sunday. During one part of her session, Pegula was heard talking with her coach about French Open champion Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martinez. The conversation started with the American questioning Martinez’s approach to coaching.

“Conchita has always been very nice to me but I’ve lost a little respect for her because I think, like this girl. I think she’s a nice girl but she’s a diva, she needs to be humbled,” she said.

“She needs to be, like, put in her place. It’s like Conchita doesn’t know how to do it. Just stand up to her.”

Continuing her criticism of Andreeva, Pegula said Martinez is spurring on her behaviour and attitude on court. On the same day, the two played a practice set against each other.

“If I was a coach and my girl played four great games. You’re up 4-0, and you’re mad at me and hitting balls at me. I would feel like, first of all, that’s disrespectful to the other person – you’re up 4-0, shut the f*ck up,” she continued.

“I feel like Conchita pokes her and eggs on her behaviour.”

To add even more fire to the argument, Pegula went on to suggest that Andreeva would be a better player than Coco Gauff if she had the same mentality. The 32-year-old is in the same group as Gauff at the WTA Finals and will play her in the round-robin stages. Andreeva is in the other group and can only play Pegula if they both progress to the knockout rounds.

“It’s so funny when you see her and you see Coco’s (Gauff’s) mentality,” she said.

“If she had Coco’s mentality, she would be better than Coco. The serve, everything all around and she moves just as good.”

After Pegula’s remarks blew up on social media, the WTA removed the video of her practice session from their YouTube account. Both players are yet to comment on the incident but will inevitably be asked about it during the WTA Finals media day.

At the WTA Finals, Pegula is the fifth seed and Andreeva is seeded third.