Jessica Pegula Lauds Aryna Sabalenka for Playing ‘Insane’ Tennis After Getting ‘Mad’

It was Jessica Pegula whom Aryna Sabalenka defeated in the semifinals of the US Open to reach her first final since lifting her third title of the season at the Miami Open. Pegula lost 7-5, 6-2.

Then at the press conference, Pegula heaped a lot of praise on Sabalenka for her “insane” tennis, joking that she thought Sabalenka produced that high level of tennis because she was mad at her. Pegula, who now trails 4-10 in the head-to-head matchups, said she ends up making mistakes if she gets mad while discussing her campaign on The Player’s Box Podcast.

Aryna played insane. I literally said in press, and I told you guys, I am not sure she missed a backhand ever, during the match. She played insane. She was just too good, honestly.

Pegula was bidding to reach her career’s second Grand Slam final in her home Slam. Back in 2024, she played her first Major final at the US Open, but Sabalenka denied her the win.

The first set was close, and then we were both serving well, and it was just like she was able to play some really big points, like she always does. It was high risk but high reward, and it worked, and then she ran away with the second a bit. I felt I was struggling to stay in the match. She plays so well when she is angry. I can’t do that. When I get angry, I start overhitting, and I get mad.

Jessica Pegula added

After defeating Pegula, Sabalenka failed to complete the three-peat after a three-set defeat to Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh ace, who now trails Sabalenka 8-10 head-to-head, won her career’s third Grand Slam title.

Pegula has played five finals so far this season. After defeating Elina Svitolina in Dubai, she defended her title in Charleston by defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva. The 32-year-old later lost the Berlin Open to Linda Noskova, the Citi Open to Alexandra Eala, and the Cincinnati Open to Coco Gauff.

Andy Roddick defends Aryna Sabalenka after her racket smash sparks controversy

Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racket in frustration right after losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina. And as expected, she started facing criticism for her conduct, but not from former ATP World No.1 Andy Roddick. The 2003 US Open champion pointed out that Sabalenka only broke her racket and was not at all disrespectful toward her opponent.

People are often looking for a reason to be upset about something and go Twitter finger their account, right? Like, I just think they’re going to look for something. I’m not even mad if you break your own (). I don’t care. As long as you’re gracious, like, to your point. Now, if she’s breaking a racket, like, could she do it after? Yeah. Am I going to be personally offended that she broke her own thing? No. I don’t know, and I don’t care.

Andy Roddick said on his Served podcast

Sabalenka would have become the third woman in the Open Era to complete the three-peat after Chris Evert and Serena Williams had she defeated Rybakina. The Kazakh ace dethroned Sabalenka from the No.1 ranking after reaching the semifinals.

Sabalenka last won a Major at the 2025 US Open. She came close to winning her third title at the Australian Open, reaching the final. But Rybakina denied her the win.

The 27-year-old has now won three titles from five finals this season, winning in Melbourne, New York, and Stuttgart. She lost the finals in Indian Wells and Toronto.

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