'Coco Can Take That Pressure, Not Me': Gauff Deserves Spotlight At US Open Says Pegula

| by Evita Mueller

Jessica Pegula has no issues giving Coco Gauff all of the spotlight at the US Open, joking about the pressure that comes with it.

Gauff and Pegula want to win the US Open, and the US crowd would certainly celebrate either of them winning it. Both have played really well leading up to the event, increasing expectations. Gauff won the Cincinnati Masters recently, while Pegula won the Canadian Open the week before.

Gauff has been more open about her goals in New York, while Pegula remained more reserved, but it's clear that both have pressure to perform well. Asked about it, Pegula admitted that Coco could take the pressure of being the bigger favourite to win the event.

I don't know. Maybe it's good (smiling). Coco can take it, that pressure, not me. I don't know. No, I mean, I don't mind. She's been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention. She's obviously very young. She's been playing really well. She's super electric to watch. She loves the crowd. Loves New York.

Jessica Pegula Passes First-Round Test To Advance At US Open
Jessica Pegula Passes First-Round Test To Advance At US Open

Pegula is mostly focused on winning every match she plays. If you win seven of them you're lifting the trophy so approaching each match as a must-win one without thinking too much ahead seems like a healthy thing to do.

Either way I think I just want to continue to win matches and do the best that I can. Yeah, I mean, I don't know. It's like it's fun that -- it's nice that even though I am the top American, I can't imagine carrying a ton of pressure if it was only me.

It's nice that there is a lot of us that are doing well and that have chances to go deep here. Because at the same time, yeah, I don't think I'd -- I mean, I'd take it, but at the same time it's kind of nice too not feeling like I have to be the one that has to win the US Open when there's six other girls that could do it. So that's nice, I guess.

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