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“She Apologized” – Coco Gauff Breaks Silence on Jessica Pegula Controversy Involving Her & Mirra Andreeva at WTA Finals

9 de novembro de 2026

Coco Gauff left Sunday’s 2026 WTA Finals court on good terms with Jessica Pegula. The two battled for three sets in the Group 1 match at Indian Wells before Gauff won. However, the match was clouded by controversy surrounding Pegula’s previous comparison between Gauff and Mirra Andreeva, leading into this encounter.

During a practice-session livestream on the WTA’s YouTube channel, Pegula’s comments were unknowingly broadcast, where she compared Andreeva and Gauff. Pegula suggested that Andreeva is a better player and could surpass the two-time Grand Slam champion if she carried the same mentality. After Sunday’s showdown, Gauff was asked about Pegula’s comments.

“Jess, she told me, before I even saw the video, she came and apologized immediately,” Gauff told reporters. “Honestly, I didn’t really take it. I feel like maybe the other person in the situation got a lot more of it. But she, you know, they both, even her coach, apologized to me. So yeah, I think for me, I’m a competitor, so I’m always going to compete regardless of what’s happening off the court. But yeah, I know her heart, and it was all good. I don’t feel any type of way.”

Earlier on Friday, two days after her private conversation was leaked, Pegula shared that it was unfortunate and admitted she had contacted both individuals about it. Meanwhile, the WTA also apologized for failing to inform players that microphones were active.

Furthermore, Pegula, who had criticized Andreeva’s attitude and relationship with coach Conchita Martínez, exchanged humorous Instagram comments with the Russian teenager.

Jessica Pegula Explains Reason Behind WTA Finals Loss to Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula’s WTA Finals Group 1 match lasted for two hours and 39 minutes. In the end, Gauff, who saved multiple break points in the opening set and came back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set, won 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2.

After the match, Pegula explained that Gauff was making her work by running well across the court. It ended up becoming a big challenge for Pegula to keep up with that level of physicality.

“It’s tough when a match gets really physical against Coco; to be honest, it’s probably not in my favor,” Pegula told reporters. “I think the first two sets especially were super physical, and I just had a little lull at the beginning of the third, which was unfortunate, like that first game… I thought her movement, I mean, I say this every time, but is the best on tour.”

Even Gauff joked that she may have run so much in the match that her shoes were worn out.

In the third set, it was evident that Pegula was exhausted as Gauff raced to a 3-0 lead. The two-time Grand Slam champion ended up winning the set and is now 1-0 in Group 1 matches.