"I'm never surprised when I see someone that seems like a surprise" - Pegula on being "aware of other girls"

Thursday, 13 October 2022 at 04:30

Updated at Monday, 02 December 2024 at 00:02

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byJordan Reynolds

Jessica Pegula is not surprised when players make a breakthrough that shocks some tennis fans since she is aware of the results of lower-ranked players.

Pegula is enjoying the best season of her career at the age of 28. She had never played in the main draw of a Grand Slam before turning 25, but her fortunes began to change in the last few years.

Although 2022 has been her best year, she began having impressive results last year. That included reaching the quarterfinal of the Australian Open and making the third round at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Pegula's consistency improved even more in 2022. She and Iga Swiatek are the only players to reach the quarterfinals of three Grand Slams this season. Unfortunately, she lost all three to the eventual winner of each tournament.

After losing to Swiatek in the US Open quarterfinal, Pegula hilariously drank a can of Heineken beer, commenting that she was trying to make herself urinate for a doping test, but it also helped soothe the pain of losing.

Pegula lost to Swiatek twice and Ashleigh Barty in her three major quarterfinals this year, but the American's knowledge of tennis and goal of being at the season-ending WTA Finals means she is not left shocked by players having great patches of form.

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"It has definitely always been a goal [to play the WTA Finals]. I don't know if it was the main goal at the beginning of the year, but as the year went on it was definitely something we were working towards at every tournament."

"I feel like I really don't take any match for granted. I think I'm really aware of other girls who aren't ranked as high, their results and how they're doing. I watch a lot of people so I'm never really surprised when I see someone that seems like a surprise."