"I'm super proud of her" - Gauff praises Pegula after mother's heart attack

| by Alex Waite

Coco Gauff has praised her doubles partner Jessica Pegula for the way she handled her mother's sudden cardiac arrest in 2022.

Kim Pegula, Jessica's mother, suffered a life-changing heart attack in June 2022 and the incident had life-changing effects. In an article for the Player's Tribune in February 2023, Pegula outlined how the moment had an impact on her personal life and tennis career.

When asked about the incident, and about Jessica Pegula's response, at the 2023 Qatar Open this week, Gauff explained the pride in her doubles teammate for how she opened up and publically shared some difficult experiences.

"Like meeting a celebrity" - Gauff on tricky opening match in Doha
"Like meeting a celebrity" - Gauff on tricky opening match in Doha

"I read her Players' Tribune essay, and it was great. It was emotional. I'm glad she was able to get those thoughts out. Definitely probably not easy reliving a certain situation and sharing it to the world. I'm super proud of her for that.”

Gauff on Pegula's Player's Tribune article

Gauff and Pegula have been long-term doubles partners and advanced to the 2023 Qatar Open semi-finals where they will face Zhang Shuai and Giuliana Olmos.

18-year-old Gauff also explained how her playing partner is a consistent source of inspiration on and off the court.

"Honestly, I look up to her in that way. You know, I have been experiencing it up close, and just seeing the way she carries herself, you would have never guessed all the things she's gone through. So that speaks to her personality and speaks to her level of coolness. Hopefully, I can have that.”

Gauff on partnership with Pegula

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles