JESSICA PEGULA CAUGHT ON VIDEO BASHING MIIRA ANDREEVA AND CALLING HER A 'DIVA'

© The Tennis Letter/X - Fair Use

Jessica Pegula was heard making some pretty harsh comments about Mirra Andreeva, calling the 19-year-old "a diva" and stating that the teenager "needs to be humbled."

On Wednesday, the groups for the WTA Finals were released. Pegula landed in Group 1 alongside Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Linda Noskova. Meanwhile, Andreeva was placed in Group 2 alongside Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina and Karolina Muchova.

After the groups were released, the WTA posted a YouTube video of Pegula's practice session in Indian Wells. And at one point, the 32-year-old American was heard sharing her honest opinion on Andreeva.

Pegula: Andreeva is a diva... She needs to be humbled and put in her place

During an interaction with her coach, the 2024 US Open runner-up was heard criticizing Andreeva's personality, while also admitting that she had lost a bit of respect for the Russian's coach Conchita Martinez.

“Conchita has always been very nice to me but I’ve lost a little respect for her because I think, like this girl. I think she’s a nice girl but she’s a diva, she needs to be humbled. She needs to be, like, put in her place. It’s like Conchita doesn’t know how to do it. Just stand up to her," Pegula was heard saying.

“If I was a coach and my girl played four great games. You’re up 4-0, and you’re mad at me and hitting balls at me. I would feel like, first of all, that’s disrespectful to the other person – you’re up 4-0, shut the f--- up. I feel like Conchita pokes her and eggs on her behavior."

Pegula suggests Andreeva would be better than Gauff if she had Coco's mentality

Pegula then made another comment that was quite something.

“It’s so funny when you see her and you see Coco’s mentality. If she had Coco’s mentality, she would be better than Coco. The serve, everything all around and she moves just as good," the world No. 5 added.

Since Pegula and Andreeva were not placed in the same group, they cannot meet earlier than the semifinal stage at the WTA Finals.

- Dzevad Mesic