“Stay here. I’m talking to you" - More audio released ahead of WTA Finals exposes Rybakina's anger towards coach

The WTA Finals do not start until Sunday, but already there is a lot of drama occurring over in Indian Wells. In the aftermath of the drama that occurred between Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva, audio on the practice courts has picked up the World No.1 Elena Rybakina directing some stern words to her coach, Stefano Vukov, ahead of a practice session with Linda Noskova.

It is already a PR disaster for the tournament, who will rue the mistake of letting the audio pick up what the players are saying on court, with them not afraid to share their raw emotions and thoughts on specific topics.

That was showcased by Pegula going on a rant about Andreeva to her coach. This followed a practice session they did together, with the American's comments being loud and clear. "I lost respect for her. She’s a good girl, but she needs to mature. I don’t know if it’s because she doesn’t know how to handle it,” she commented.

“If I were her coach and my player had just played four great games, she’s up 4-0, she gets mad at me and chases me down… I’d tell her not to talk to me like that."

She was scared to share what she really thought of the 19-year-old. “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…”

The clip was quickly deleted as the WTA attempted to cover up the evidence, but it was already spreading like wildfire on social media. It was not the only one.

Rybakina was on Stadium Two preparing to lock horns with the reigning Wimbledon champion Noskova in a practice environment. She was wandering up to the net with Vukov, with the pair seemingly discussing something.

The Kazakh then halts him in his tracks and says, “Stay here. I’m talking to you.” The three-time Grand Slam champion then tells the Croat to 'stay here' before they went over to greet Noskova and her team.

This is different from the Pegula-Andreeva debacle, but still not a great look for the WTA Tour ahead of the big climax event of the season.

The action will start Sunday with the defending champion, Rybakina, taking on Noskova in the opening round robin clash. Pegula will get her campaign underway in Group A versus fellow countrywoman Coco Gauff. Group B will commence action the next day. Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova lock horns while Andreeva clashes against Elina Svitolina.