'Came in while I was in shower': Jessica Pegula shares uncomfortable encounter

Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 21:54

byJordan Reynolds

WTA and ATP players have to deal with many stresses and strains while traveling worldwide, but Jessica Pegula had an unexpected moment during the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen.

The team event was Pegula's first appearance since losing in the 2025 US Open semifinals to Aryna Sabalenka. Her 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 defeat was arguably the best match of the tournament because of its exceptional quality from start to finish.

Pegula came even closer to helping Team USA win the Billie Jean King Cup. The Americans faced the defending champions, Italy, for the title after victories against Kazakhstan and Great Britain, but fell 0-2 against the Italians.

That final defeat included an inspired Jasmine Paolini beating Pegula 6-4, 6-2. Nonetheless, the 2024 US Open runner-up can be proud of reaching the final despite being without world No. 3 Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys.

Pegula recently started a podcast with her fellow Americans and friends Keys, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk. In the most recent episode, Pegula described a humorous story from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

The world No. 7 had trouble working out whether the 'Do Not Disturb' symbol was working in her hotel room. She thought it was on while taking a shower, but got a shock from an unexpected guest.

"I'm in China right now for the Billie Jean King Cup. And I've been playing this game with the 'Do Not Disturb' on whether I know if it's working or not. I don't know how to explain it, but the button doesn't light up, right? So then I thought I had it on. It said it was on, but then the cleaning lady came in while I was in the shower. I was like, 'Oh my god.'"

That led to an awkward but hilarious conversation between Pegula and the cleaning lady, who did not understand each other's language. Despite her best efforts, she struggled to communicate that she did not want cleaning then.

"Obviously, she doesn't speak English. And she didn't understand that I didn't want any cleaning at this moment. Then we just sat there and kind of miscommunicated for five minutes, and I was like, 'No,' pointing to the sign, and it was lit up. [She] still didn't get it. And then she gave me two waters. I feel like that's happened to everybody, but that was kind of my unforced error for the week."

Language barriers are common in the men's and women's game because players compete in so many different countries across continents. Most competing in China use a translator for parts of their press conferences, but they do not expect miscommunication while in the shower.

That story was just one amusing tale during the podcast. The four American women are very close friends and from similar generations, creating natural banter that is engaging and enjoyable to listen to.

Whether the remaining tournaments this season create more stories that are told on the podcast remains to be seen. Keys and Aryna Sabalenka are among those who withdrew from the 2025 China Open, which began on Wednesday.