"Being so young, I can't imagine how I would've handled the stuff" - Jessica Pegula praises Coco Gauff for dealing with pressure after US Open win
Jessica Pegula commended fellow American and former doubles partner Coco Gauff for handling the fame that came her way after triumphing at the 2023 US Open. Both women are set to compete at the 2024 US Open, which kicks off on August 26.
Pegula comes into the US Open in perhaps the best form possible after defending her title at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto and backing it up with a runners-up finish at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open. She will be one of the favorites for the title in New York, challenging WTA stars like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and defending champion Gauff.
Gauff won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open after a dream run that included wins over the likes of Jelena Ostapenko, Karolina Muchova, and Sabalenka. The talented American's fanfare only grew after her triumph at Flushing Meadows, with media attention, brand deals, and performances on the court in 2024 catapulting her to becoming the highest-paid female tennis player this year.
Pegula has been impressed by Gauff's ability to handle the limelight at such a young age. During her pre-tournament press conference, Pegula also expressed confidence in Gauff and said she would bounce back stronger after underwhelming displays in recent tournaments.
"I mean, as far as I can see, I think she's handled it really well. I mean, again, she's so young. You kind of forget how young she is and all the challenges she's dealing with. You saw how she kind of bounced back after Wimbledon to win this title here last year. I think there's no doubt that she'll bounce back and take the lessons she learned from that swing and overcoming them into whatever struggles she had this year," Pegula said.
Pegula also noted the growing maturity in Gauff's conduct and game, and praised her for handling her circumstances "pretty well."
"I think she's constantly maturing and growing up in front of everybody, and I feel like that's what I've noticed is that she's growing up. I would say that she's handling it pretty well. I think, again, being so young, I can't imagine how I would have handled any of the stuff that she's gone through," Pegula added.
Gauff recently bowed out of the Canadian Open in the third round and lost in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, where she was the defending champion.
Jessica Pegula to face Shelby Rogers in US Open 1R; Coco Gauff up against Varvara Gracheva
Jessica Pegula will be hoping to end her Grand Slam quarterfinal jinx at the 2024 US Open after failing to clear the last-eight hurdle at Majors six times in her career. She is seeded sixth in the women's singles draw at the 2024 US Open and will begin her campaign against compatriot Shelby Rogers. Rogers has announced that she will retire from tennis at the end of the US Open.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff will have the proverbial bullseye on her back as the defending champion. The 20-year-old is the third seed and will face Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva in her opening-round contest. Gauff was the victor of the lone previous meeting between the two women at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland.
Pegula made it to the fourth round of the US Open last year. She defeated Camila Giorgi, Patricia Maria Tig, and Elina Svitolina before losing to Madison Keys at the 2023 US Open.