WTA removes audio from Finals practice streams after player-privacy failure

The WTA has apologised for failing to tell players and coaches that courtside microphones were broadcasting their conversations during practice at Indian Wells. Practice livestreams will continue without audio after private remarks by Jessica Pegula were transmitted ahead of the season-ending WTA Finals, according to reporting by BBC Sport and Front Office Sports.

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In a statement provided to Front Office Sports, the tour accepted responsibility for not informing players and their teams that the microphones were active. A tour source told the outlet the equipment was intended to capture the background sounds of practice, rather than discussions between players and coaches. The broadcasts will now retain pictures but remove sound.

The incident involved a conversation between Pegula and her coach, Mark Knowles, following a practice session with Mirra Andreeva. BBC Sport reported that recordings of Wednesday's sessions had been removed from the WTA's YouTube channel, although clips were already circulating on social media. The exchange included criticism of Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martinez, as well as praise for the teenager's abilities.

A representative for Pegula's agent told the BBC that she had not known courtside microphones could pick up the conversation or that it was being broadcast publicly. The representative said Pegula had subsequently contacted those involved directly, preferring to address the matter personally rather than through the media. That account makes clear she did not understand the exchange to be public.

Pegula is a member of the WTA players' council. She and Andreeva have been drawn into different groups for the Finals, so any singles meeting between them at the event would have to come in the semi-finals or final. The tournament begins on Sunday and runs until November 15, with Indian Wells hosting it for the first time.

The microphone incident follows earlier concerns about the boundaries of tennis coverage away from matches. Front Office Sports recalled that Coco Gauff was filmed smashing a racket after her Australian Open quarter-final defeat in January despite believing she was out of camera view. Pegula supported Gauff at the time and criticised the extent of behind-the-scenes filming.