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WTA Finals: Rybakina illness, Gauff votes, Pegula hot mic drama
7 Nov
Summary
- Elena Rybakina withdrew from media day citing illness; Marta Kostyuk is the alternate.
- Jessica Pegula humorously addressed a "hot mic" incident involving comments on another player.
- Coco Gauff encouraged voter turnout, especially among minority and younger communities.
The WTA Finals commenced on Sunday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, following a Media Day that provided insights into the top eight singles players and doubles teams. Elena Rybakina, the reigning WTA Finals champion, unexpectedly rescheduled her media availability for Saturday due to reported illness, prompting speculation and positioning Marta Kostyuk as the alternate.
American player Jessica Pegula initiated her press conference with a jest regarding a recent "hot mic" situation, where her private remarks about a fellow competitor were inadvertently broadcast. The WTA subsequently issued an apology for not informing players about the live streaming of practice sessions.
Coco Gauff shared her perspective on recent midterm elections, highlighting the importance of voter turnout, particularly among younger and minority groups. She confirmed she had voted early in Florida and encouraged her family to do the same, expressing satisfaction with record turnouts in some areas.
Elina Svitolina reflected on a challenging year, marked by personal and geopolitical difficulties. She discussed navigating public scrutiny while maintaining her professional performance, emphasizing the importance of controlling daily moments and finding happiness amidst adversity.
Aryna Sabalenka, a previous Indian Wells champion, shared her favorite culinary destinations on the tour, naming New York and Rome as top choices, while noting Cincinnati as a least explored option for its food scene.
