WTA chair apologises to Pegula for airing of 'diva' comment

Pegula was also heard saying French Open champion Andreeva "needs to be humbled" and her coach Conchita Martinez encourages her behaviour.

A representative for Pegula said she had been in direct contact with those involved and had been "completely unaware" the conversation could be heard by courtside microphones.

None of the players were asked about the incident in the pre-tournament news conference at Indian Wells on Friday, but Pegula did address it in an interview with ESPN.

"I think it's something that we have fought a lot over the last couple years as there's a lot more surveillance and audio and access to the players at tournaments than there has been in the past," she said., external