Coco Gauff has revealed Jessica Pegula apologised to her after the controversy sparked by her comments ahead of the pair’s match at the 2026 WTA Finals.
Last week, a video emerged of Pegula criticising Mirra Andreeva’s mentality in a chat with her coach Mark Knowles during a practice session livestreamed by the WTA in Indian Wells.
“I think she’s a nice girl – she’s just a diva. She needs to be humbled,” Pegula said.
World No 5 Pegula went on to claim Andreeva would be “better” than Gauff if she had the American’s mentality.
“She (Andreeva) has got the perfect serve. She moves like a cat, she’s smart, she anticipates well,” the 32-year-old assessed.
“It’s so funny how, like, you see her, and then you see Coco’s mentality. If she had Coco’s mentality, she’d be better than Coco.”
Pegula did not know that on-court microphones in Indian Wells were broadcasting the conversation.
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The WTA responded by issuing an apology for not informing players that microphones were live during practice sessions.
“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,” a statement read.
“We sincerely apologise for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed.”
On Sunday — the opening day of the WTA Finals — Gauff defeated Pegula 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 in a pulsating round robin contest.
Following her victory over Pegula, Gauff was asked if she was thinking about her countrywoman’s remarks going into the match.
“No, I wasn’t really thinking. Jess, she told me — before I even saw the video, she came and apologised, immediately,” said the world No 4.
“Honestly, I didn’t really take it. I felt like maybe the other person in the situation (Andreeva) got a lot more of it (smiles). But she (Pegula), even her coach apologised to me.
“So, for me, I’m a competitor, so I’m always going to compete regardless of what’s happening off the court. But I know her heart, and it was all good. I don’t feel any type… we’re cool.”
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