"She’s just a bit of a diva...she needs to be humbled": Jessica Pegula caught shading Mirra Andreeva and Conchita Martinez at WTA Finals

Thursday, 05 November 2026 at 10:51

Jessica Pegula was unknowingly caught discussing Mirra Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martinez, during a practice session at the WTA Finals, with the American making a series of remarkably candid comments about the Russian teenager.

In a conversation picked up while she was training, Pegula described Andreeva as a “bit of a diva”, questioned Martinez's handling of the youngster and suggested that the 18-year-old needed someone willing to put her in her place.

Alongside her criticism, however, Pegula made clear just how highly she rates Andreeva's tennis, praising her serve, movement and anticipation. She even suggested that the Russian could be better than Coco Gauff if she possessed the American's mentality, making an extraordinary assessment of her potential.

Pegula's comments also extended to Martinez, admitting that she had lost some respect for the Spanish coach because of the way she handles Andreeva, despite having always enjoyed a positive personal relationship with her.

Pegula calls Andreeva a 'diva' and questions Martinez's approach

The discussion began with Pegula describing an interaction involving Andreeva and Martinez during practice. She appeared particularly frustrated by the Russian's reactions towards her coach, even when she was comfortably ahead in a practice game.

“How do you think I feel? I'm the one fucking hitting, and then Conchita, I don't know if you heard her, but she goes, 'Exactly!'” Pegula said, before imitating a gesture suggesting that someone was crazy.

Jessica Pegula hitting forehand at Flushing Meadows

Her coach then offered a blunt assessment of the relationship between the player and her mentor. “She treats Conchita so bad,” the coach said.

Pegula went on to explain why Andreeva's behaviour had affected her opinion of Martinez, making clear that her criticism was not based on her own personal interactions with the former Spanish player.

“Conchita has always been very nice to me, but I've lost a bit of respect for her. I'm like, this girl, I think she's a nice girl, she's just a bit of a diva. She needs to be humbled. She needs a bit…”

Pegula's coach agreed that Martinez was not doing enough to address the situation. The conversation then turned to an example involving Andreeva becoming frustrated with her coach despite being comfortably ahead.

“At all. It's like you hit the ball at her, she's up 4-0. When she's acting like she's lost three or four games, what are you complaining about?” the coach said.

Pegula then explained how she would approach the same situation if she were coaching a player. “If I was a coach, and you just played four great games and you're up 4-0 and you're mad at me for hitting balls at you, first of all, that's disrespectful to the other person. You're up 4-0, like, shut the fuck up. But she just can't…”

Her coach responded that Andreeva needed someone capable of challenging her behaviour, before Pegula returned to the role Martinez plays in the dynamic. “Conchita, like, pokes her and eggs on her behaviour,” Pegula added.

“She needs somebody to put her in her place, and once she has that, I think she'll be really good. I mean, she's already really good. Like the way she moves…”

“Pegula” trying to talk about mentality about GS champion Mirra Andreeva?😹 https://t.co/wgyOyL8E9r
— tm🇿🇼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@tmlfcc) November 4, 2026

'If she had Coco's mentality, she'd be better than Coco'

Despite her criticism, Pegula was equally emphatic when discussing Andreeva's technical qualities. Her assessment made clear that she does not question the Russian's ability to compete with the very best players on the WTA Tour.

“She's wonderful, she's got the perfect serve. She moves like a cat, she's smart, she anticipates well. Like physically, she's a 12. It's crazy,” Pegula said.

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The comparison with Gauff came later in the conversation and was arguably the most revealing part of her assessment. “It's so funny how, like, you see her and then you see Coco's mentality,” Pegula said, prompting her coach to agree: “Oh definitely.”

Pegula then delivered her strongest assessment of Andreeva's potential. “If she had Coco's mentality, she'd be better than Coco," the world No. 5 added. "Her serve, everything, all around. She moves just as well, but mentally I just think she's like…”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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