"Really cool we have these big players, star power" - Jessica Pegula lauds depth in women's tennis, highlights Elena Rybakina & Aryna Sabalenka's rise
Jessica Pegula feels that the past few months have given further proof of the depth in women's tennis, despite Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina setting themselves a class apart so far this season. For Pegula, the fact that there are now multiple players who can step up and take charge shows the competitiveness of the WTA tour.
Iga Swiatek well and truly dominated the 2022 season, winning eight titles, of which two were Grand Slams and three were WTA 1000s. However, Sabalenka and Rybakina have emerged as able contenders for big titles consistently in 2023 so far, contesting two of the biggest finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
While Pegula agreed with the sentiment that there are a few more players this season, including herself, who are challenging Swiatek, she feels that the likes of Sabalenka and Rybakina have done what Swiatek did last season. Having said that, she feels that is testament to the 'star power' in women's tennis which is great for the tour.
"Yeah, it's a little bit different, but at the same time you see Sabalenka and Rybakina doing the same thing kind of back and forth. I think there's always going to be someone," Jessica Pegula said in a press conference after her third-round win at the Miami Open.
"That just shows the depth in the women's game, that anyone can step up and kind of take over. I think that's really cool that we have all these kind of big players, star power in the game," she added.
Seeing other players dominate and win big titles inspires the American to take the next step herself. Pegula hopes that the Miami Open could thus be the start of something special.
"I think it gives me confidence, as well, that that could also be me. If I could really go deep here, that would be awesome, yeah," the American No. 1 expressed.
Pegula moved into the Round of 16 in Miami with a 6-1, 7-6(0) win over fellow American Danielle Collins on Saturday.
"A cool thing that I get to say and I get to hear" - Jessica Pegula on being the top-ranked American player
Jessica Pegula also reflected on the 'rewarding' achievement of being the top-ranked American singles player across the men's and women's tours. Each time she hears her name being announced as the American No. 1 when she walks out on the court for a match, the 29-year-old deeply cherishes it. As the top-ranked player in her country, she feels a lot of respect from tennis fans in the United States.
"It has been very rewarding and fun, though, to hear it announced before every single match. I think it's so much fun," Jessica Pegula said.
"Especially in the States, you really see people respond to that. Even No. 1 women's player. I'm like, No, I'm the No. 1 men's and women's player in the U.S. It's just fun. I think it's a cool thing that I get to say and I get to hear. People really obviously respond."
Pegula will hear the same announcement again on Monday, when she walks out on the court for her fourth-round match against Magda Linette, who beat Victoria Azarenka in the third round. If she wins, Pegula will face either Qinwen Zheng or Anastasia Potapova in the quarterfinals.