Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff have enjoyed a highly productive partnership in doubles, but both agreed they wouldn't team up at this week's Citi Open in doubles competition.
Pegula and Gauff have forged a successful stint as a double pair, amassing five WTA titles between them. They also reached a Grand Slam doubles final at last year's French Open. Pegula has ranked as high as number two in doubles, while Gauff attained the number one ranking for the first time almost 12 months ago.
While doubles is secondary in their season's objectives, they have done remarkably well balancing both sides of the spectrum. Pegula and Gauff are also top-10 mainstays in singles, with the older of the two Americans reaching two Grand Slam quarterfinals already this season.
The duo has taken a unanimous decision not to compete in doubles, but both entered the singles playing field at the combined 500 event across both tours. Pegula gave the reasons during the pre-tournament press conference on Sunday.
"Yeah, I think we kind of made that decision just knowing the weather here, the heat, and doubling up in a short week before Montreal is really tough."
"Last year it was a struggle to get to Toronto and whatever. We just thought it would be easier this week. But yeah, I think, so for me I'm just, I don't know, I'm just working on everything that I usually work on, trying to get back into match play. I've had a few weeks off."
The Citi Open rekindles fond memories for Pegula. She won her first WTA title in these parts in 2019 and understands that the expectations this year are very much different from when she was an unheralded American player four years ago. Her goal, though, is to improve, and is working on getting sufficient matches this week.
"Just see that I'm working on things in matches and that it's improving. Of course, again, you always want to go in and thinking you're going to win the tournament, but also for me, it's important to see that I'm improving on little things and things are getting better and I'm able to think my way and work my way through matches and have a really good attitude, especially this week.
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