Jessica Pegula Withdraws From 2025 Brisbane International Because Of Injury

Jessica Pegula's hopes of starting the new season positively in the opening week have ended after she withdrew from the 2025 Brisbane International with an injury.

Pegula's rollercoaster 2024 season included injury issues. She undoubtedly hoped none of those problems would be repeated in 2024. Unfortunately, that want has not been met due to her latest setback.

The American suffered a surprising loss to Clara Burel in the second round of this year's Australian Open. Burel also defeated Sloane Stephens at the 2024 US Open, miraculously recovering from 0-6, 1-4 down.

Pegula then missed over a month because of an injury. She also made the surprising decision during that period to split with her coach, David Witt, despite the pair enjoying so much success, including reaching No. 3 in the WTA rankings.

The 30-year-old returned in March and at the start of April at the San Diego Open, Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, and Charleston Open. Pegula reached the semifinals in San Diego and Charleston.

After representing the USA in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers the week after the Charleston Open, Pegula announced that she had gotten hurt again, which led to her missing the entirety of the clay court swing in Europe.

It seemed like 2024 might be a season to forget for Pegula at that stage, but she then rebounded spectacularly. Her first significant success this year was on grass in June at the Berlin Open, saving five match points in the final to beat Anna Kalinskaya after an astonishing match.

Pegula's results got even better during the second North American hardcourt swing in August and September. She retained her Canadian Open title after playing a superb deciding set in the final against Amanda Anisimova.

After finishing as the runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open, Pegula reached her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open. Despite playing excellently, she lost to Sabalenka again after the Belarusian played one of the best matches of her career.

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Those efforts in North America were a remarkable turnaround after how her season started. Pegula reflected shortly afterward about how trusting the process was pivotal in what she achieved.

The 30-year-old's season petered out somewhat after those efforts. She qualified for the WTA Finals but lost her first two matches before withdrawing from the season-ending tournament with a left knee injury.

It seemed like Pegula was over that issue when she played an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden earlier this month against Emma Navarro. Although she lost, this year's US Open runner-up moved well throughout the match.

Unfortunately, the Brisbane International organizers announced that Pegula had withdrawn from the tournament held during the season's opening week. This was due to a knee injury, and the Dutch player Suzan Lamens has taken Pegula's place on the entry list.

Although it has not been confirmed that the injury is a recurrence of Pegula's problem at the WTA Finals, it seems likely. Hopefully, the American's season will not be derailed, and she will try to bounce back quickly from the withdrawal.

Pegula had played in the United Cup to start her 2023 and 2024 seasons, but Coco Gauff has taken her place as the No. 1 women's player on the American team for this year's iteration of the team event.

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