"I wanted it so bad" - Jessica Pegula overwhelmed with emotions, breaks down in tears after successful Canadian Open title defense
Jessica Pegula broke down in tears after her Canadian Open title defense. She defeated fellow American Amanda Anisimova who was competing in her first WTA 1000 final in Toronto.
Pegula started well, winning the first set 6-3. However, Anisimova rallied to win the second set 6-2, preventing the 30-year-old from securing a straight-sets triumph. Despite Anisimova's efforts, Pegula dominated the final set, taking a 5-0 lead and convincingly winning the third set 6-1 to defend her Canadian Open title.
With this, Pegula has become the first woman in 24 years to win back-to-back Canadian Open titles. The last to achieve this feat was Martina Hingis in 1999 and 2000. This was Pegula's second title of the 2024 season, having previously won the ecotrans Ladies Open in June.
During her post-match on-court interview, Pegula expressed her happiness at winning the Canadian Open, saying "she wanted it so bad." Moreover, the American was seen weeping with joy during the interview.
"I can't believe it, I wanted it so bad, so I am getting emotional thinking about it. No, I am so happy to take the title here, it's awesome. I am just like flooded with emotions. It's been an up and down year, but these are like happy tears, I am so happy," Jessica Pegula said.
The World No. 6 further conveyed her delight at winning the WTA 1000 event in the presence of her husband and grandparents.
"Yeah, to win it close to my home, Buffalo (New York), to be able to win Montreal and Toronto is really cool. My grandparents are here, my husband came in with some friends so it is really cool. Feels kind of like my home town tournament a little bit, but I am glad that I have a title in both cities, so, like, it's grateful," she added.
During her victory speech, Pegula dedicated her consecutive Canadian Open title wins to her grandparents, who live in Canada.
Jessica Pegula after her 2024 Canadian Open triumph - "The momentum changed completely"
In her post-match press conference, Jessica Pegula acknowledged her strong start but identified a loss in momentum in the second set as a turning point. The 30-year-old explained how she refocused in the third set to secure the victory over Amanda Anisimova.
"I started playing very well, as well as I could, serving especially well, despite the slight breeze still present. In the second set, I went from leading 40-0 to being broken, the momentum changed completely," she said.
"Then you have to start from scratch, it was a turning point, but I managed to do it in the third set. I tried to increase my energy, take the lead in the match," she added.
Several prominent American tennis players including Coco Gauff, Danielle Collins, Taylor Townsend and Emma Navarro congratulated Pegula following her Canadian Open victory. The World No. 6 will next compete in the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.