(Video) Jessica Pegula’s Coach Hilariously Ignores the American During Title Celebrations at the Dubai Open
Jessica Pegula beat Elina Svitolina by straight sets in the final.
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Jessica Pegula (via WTA Tennis)
- Jessica Pegula won her 10th career singles title at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, defeating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4.
- During the post-match celebration, her coach Mark Knowles was distracted by his phone, leading to a humorous moment when Pegula had to tap him for attention.
- Pegula aims to build on her momentum at the upcoming BNP Paribas Open, with analysts noting her transformation into a consistent contender in major tournaments.
Jessica Pegula just claimed her 10th career singles title with a clinical performance at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, but it was the post-match celebration that really got people talking.
The American dismantled two-time Dubai champion Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in just 73 minutes on February 21, adding another WTA 1000 trophy to her already impressive collection. Yet when Pegula jogged over to celebrate with her coach, Mark Knowles, she found him completely absorbed in his phone, oblivious to the championship moment unfolding right in front of him.
Lmao 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/3extJcanIk
— Lorena Popa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) February 21, 2026
The awkward-but-hilarious exchange quickly went viral. Pegula had to literally tap Knowles on the shoulder to get his attention before the two could share a celebratory embrace. Tennis fans across social media couldn’t get enough of the moment, turning what should have been a routine celebration into one of the most entertaining clips of the season.
Pegula handled it with grace and humor, and the moment will likely become one of those quirky footnotes in her career story. Years from now, when people talk about her Dubai title, they’ll probably mention the phone incident just as much as the actual tennis.
What’s next for Jessica Pegula?
With her 32nd birthday arriving on February 24, Jessica Pegula joked that she’d be celebrating her Dubai win with “a long flight home” as she prepares for the next challenge: Indian Wells.
The BNP Paribas Open in California represents another massive opportunity for Pegula to build on her momentum. Last year, Mirra Andreeva pulled off the rare double of winning both Dubai and Indian Wells back-to-back. Pegula now has the chance to replicate that feat and further cement her status as one of the tour’s most consistent performers.
Analysts have taken notice of Pegula’s late-career surge. Once plagued by injuries and inconsistency, she’s transformed herself into a legitimate contender at every major tournament she enters. Her improved serve and enhanced fitness have turned her into a player capable of going deep week after week.
The question now isn’t whether Pegula can win big tournaments—she’s already proven that. The question is whether she can break through and win a Grand Slam. With the form she’s showing right now, that possibility feels closer than ever.
A tournament defined by withdrawals
This year’s Dubai field was significantly weakened by a string of high-profile withdrawals. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka pulled out before the tournament even started, citing injury concerns.
Iga Swiatek followed suit, leaving a wide-open draw for the remaining contenders. Elena Rybakina, who had defeated Pegula at the Australian Open earlier this year, was forced to retire mid-tournament due to illness.
Those absences certainly helped Pegula’s path to the title, but it would be unfair to diminish her accomplishment. She still had to show up and win her matches, and she did so in dominant fashion. Tennis is a brutal sport—you can only beat who’s across the net from you, and Pegula did exactly that.
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