WTA apologises to Pegula as practice-stream audio is dropped after privacy lapse

WTA chair Valerie Camillo has apologised to Jessica Pegula after a conversation with her coach was broadcast from a practice court at Indian Wells. The incident has renewed scrutiny of player privacy at the season-ending WTA Finals, with the tour acknowledging that players were not adequately warned about recording equipment, BBC Sport reported.

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In a statement supplied to The National on Thursday, the WTA accepted responsibility for failing to tell players and their teams that courtside microphones were active. The equipment was being used for practice livestreams. The organisation apologised for not ensuring that players and coaches understood their conversations could be picked up during those sessions.

The National reported that the microphones were intended to capture the sounds of tennis rather than discussions between players and coaches. Practice coverage is due to continue without audio. That change preserves the visual livestream while removing the sound feed that carried Pegula's conversation with Mark Knowles after she had practised with Mirra Andreeva.

Pegula's representative said she did not know the discussion was being broadcast and had subsequently contacted those involved directly. BBC Sport reported that recordings of Wednesday's practice sessions had been removed from YouTube, although excerpts had already spread on social media. Camillo said advance notification and clear signs about the operating recording equipment had been lacking.

Speaking to ESPN on Friday, Pegula said players had been dealing with increased surveillance, audio recording and access at tournaments over recent years, according to BBC Sport. She acknowledged the appeal of such coverage to fans but questioned the need for some of it. She said she hoped the incident would strengthen efforts to secure greater privacy for competitors.

The issue follows complaints earlier this year at the Australian Open, where Coco Gauff objected after footage showed her breaking a racket in an area she had believed was private, The National reported. Camillo backed players' calls for spaces away from constant observation at that time. Unlike the Australian Open, which is operated by Tennis Australia, the WTA Finals is run by the women's tour itself.