Jessica Pegula indirectly addresses hot mic incident at WTA Finals press conference

American tennis star Jessica Pegula masterfully alluded to the hot mic incident at the opening of her WTA Finals press conference.

Pegula did not directly discuss the hot mic comments from a conversation with her coach Mark Knowles regarding Mirra Andreeva, her practice partner that left the Indian Wells practice court early.

In that conversation, Pegula called Andreeva a diva and criticized her Hall of Fame coach, Conchita Martinez, for allowing the behavior.

MORE: Jessica Pegula’s hot mic comments about Mirra Andreeva add more spice to 2026 WTA Finals

Pegula’s opening comment got laughs

Pegula paused for a second, tapping the microphone a couple of times with her finger. She said she was checking to see if it was on. Members of the press laughed at the clever nod to the incident.

Od czego Jessica Pegula zaczęła konferencję?
Od sprawdzenia, czy mikrofon jest włączony i skomentowania tego 😎 https://t.co/lnoVvJyAu2

— Żelisław Żyżyński (@ZelekZyzynski) November 6, 2026

The WTA apologized to Pegula after admitting that the players did not know there were microphones on the practice courts. Pegula also reportedly apologized to Andreeva and Martinez.

MORE: 2026 WTA Finals off to shaky start with hot mic, individual portraits

Not the first time Pegula had issues with WTA in 2026

Pegula called out the WTA earlier this year for a photoshop session gone bad on her picture.

Jessica Pegula comments on an edited photo WTA posted of her on IG:

“Wtf happened to my body 😂”

😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/Bak5FUxKhp

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 20, 2026

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