Audio recording disabled on practice courts at WTA Finals after Pegula comments livestreamed

Audio recording has been disabled on the WTA Finals practice courts after private comments by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were captured and broadcast during a livestream. WTA chair Valerie Camillo said players had not been given adequate notice that microphones were active, and said the organisation had corrected the issue to protect players’ privacy.

The conversation between world number five Pegula and her coach Mark Knowles was picked up during a practice session at Indian Wells and later circulated on social media. The tournament begins on Sunday and runs until 15 November. The incident adds to concerns raised by players this year after cameras recorded Coco Gauff smashing her racket and other players called for more privacy.