“Stop this”: Marketa Vondrousova takes aim at WTA after Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina hot-mic controversies

Thursday, 05 November 2026 at 20:00

Marketa Vondrousova has joined the criticism of the WTA after microphones picked up private conversations involving Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina during practice sessions at Indian Wells.

The former Wimbledon champion addressed the governing body directly on Instagram, arguing that there is a clear difference between giving fans access to tennis and allowing them to listen to conversations players never intended to make public.

The issue first came to light when Pegula was heard speaking to her coach about Mirra Andreeva and Conchita Martinez. The American was particularly critical of the Russian teenager, calling her a “diva” and saying she “needs to be humbled”. She also questioned Martinez's role in the situation, claiming the Spanish coach encouraged some of Andreeva's behaviour.

Pegula's comments quickly circulated online, attracting considerable attention ahead of the WTA Finals. But another recording soon added to the controversy. During a practice session with Linda Noskova, defending champion Elena Rybakina appeared to become frustrated with her coach, Stefano Vukov, telling him: “Stay here. I'm talking to you!”

The two incidents prompted questions about why conversations between players and their coaching teams were being broadcast in the first place. Vondrousova was among those who took issue with the practice, using two Instagram stories to make her position clear.

Vondrousova sends two messages to the WTA

The Czech did not comment on whether Pegula's criticism of Andreeva was justified or what had happened between Rybakina and Vukov. Instead, she focused on the decision to make those exchanges available to the public.

Tagging the WTA in her first post, Vondrousova wrote: “@WTA, there's a difference between giving fans access to the sport and giving them access to private conversations.”

She then shared a second Instagram story, this time referring to the recording involving Rybakina. Her message was brief: “Stop this.”

It was a direct criticism of the way the WTA was handling access to practice sessions. The recordings had offered fans an unusual glimpse into conversations between players and their teams, but neither exchange was an interview or an interaction intended for broadcast.

The WTA subsequently removed the practice-session livestreams from its YouTube channel and apologised after the Pegula incident. The organisation acknowledged that players and coaches had not been properly informed that microphones were active, adding another concern to an already uncomfortable situation.

“The WTA Tour apologized after a microphone captured Jessica Pegula criticizing Mirra Andreeva and her coach during practice at Indian Wells,” the WTA wrote in an statement. “We sincerely apologise for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed."

The WTA has issued a statement on the hot mic incident involving Jessica Pegula, saying they failed to inform players about the microphones during livestreams at the WTA Finals practices. Full statement ⬇️ https://t.co/XaJZWCSBJ2
— Colin Salao (@colincsalao) November 5, 2026

A familiar debate over cameras following players

The latest controversy is not the first time the WTA and tournament organisers have faced questions about how much of players' lives should be available to viewers.

At the Australian Open earlier this year, Coco Gauff was filmed smashing her racket after losing her quarter-final match. The footage circulated widely despite the American believing she had found a place away from the cameras. Gauff subsequently questioned the constant presence of recording equipment around players, while Pegula also expressed concerns about the invasion of privacy.

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The irony is that Pegula, who was among those uncomfortable with the level of filming in Melbourne, has now become the subject of a similar debate after her comments about Andreeva were picked up at Indian Wells.

The WTA Finals, running from November 8 to 15 at Indian Wells, were supposed to provide a stage for the season's eight best players. Instead, the practice sessions have generated a separate talking point, with two private exchanges becoming major stories before the tournament has even started.

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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