Jessica Pegula’s journey to the US Open final marked a significant milestone in her tennis career. Though she ultimately fell to the dominant Aryna Sabalenka, the experience has instilled a newfound confidence in the American star. This was Pegula’s first Grand Slam final appearance, breaking a pattern of early exits in previous major tournaments. The runner-up finish served as a crucial stepping stone, proving her ability to compete at the highest level.
Pegula, who will climb to a career-high No. 3 ranking, believes she’s finally crossed a mental barrier. “I think I’ve taken confidence from winning a 250, from winning a 1000, from being able to win another 1000. Multiple ones now. Then to be able to be a Grand Slam finalist, I think that was kind of the last thing for me,” she said.
Her run to the final was particularly impressive considering she missed the French Open due to injury. This setback forced her to adopt a more relaxed approach to the US Open, which ultimately paid off. “I handled the moment a little bit better this year…with just having maybe a different perspective of ‘I had a rough start to the year and I didn’t really expect to be doing this well in the hard-court swing.’”
Pegula’s success in New York highlights the burgeoning strength of American women’s tennis. Fellow American Emma Navarro, who lost to Sabalenka in the semifinals, will also break into the top 10. This adds to the already impressive talent pool, which includes current world No. 3 Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.
With her newfound confidence and proven ability, Pegula is well-positioned for future Grand Slam success. The US Open final may have been a loss, but it represents a significant turning point in her career, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her pursuit of tennis glory.
