Jessica Pegula caught on hot mic eviscerating ‘diva’ Mirra Andreeva
American tennis pro Jessica Pegula let it rip on Russian pro Mirra Andreeva during a recent practice session at Indian Wells.
A hot mic on the court caught Pegula, the daughter of billionaire Bills owner Terry Pegula, calling Andreeva a “diva” who “needs to be humbled” while chatting with her coach.
Pegula brought up Anreeva’s coach Conchita Martínez and explained that she lost respect for the former Spanish pro for encouraging the 19-year-old Russian’s behavior.
“Conchita’s always been very nice to me, but I lost a little respect for her because I’m just like this girl. I think she’s a nice girl but she’s a diva. She needs to be humbled,” Pegula says in a video that’s circulating online.
“… If I was a coach and my girl, you just played four great games and you’re up 4-0 and you’re mad at me, hitting balls at me … first of all, that’s disrespectful to the other person … like, shut the f–k up.
“Conchita like pokes her and eggs on her behavior … She has a perfect serve, she’s smart, she anticipates well, but she’s crazy.”
Pegula’s coach added that Andreeva needs to be “put in her place.”
Pegula then explained that Andreeva, who won the French Open last year, would be a more well-rounded player if she had the mentality of American pro Coco Gauff.
“It’s so funny how you see her and you see Coco’s mentality — like if she has Coco’s mentality, she’s better than Coco … the serve, everything, all around and moves just as good, but mentally, she’s just…” Pegula said.
Andreeva has yet to publicly acknowledge Pegula’s comments.
Pegula will play against Gauff at the WTA Finals on Sunday.