Jessica Pegula Dreams of Coaching Novak Djokovic: “Would Love to Know What Goes Through His Mind”

American tennis sensation Jessica Pegula has shared her motivation to coach 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The left-hander is chasing her first Grand Slam title after making the Cincinnati Open final recently.

Pegula, who lost in the US Open final in 2024, said she wants to understand what goes through Djokovic’s mind. She was speaking to Sports Illustrated:

He is the greatest player of all time. But I would love to know what goes through his mind tactically during a match. I feel that there are other elite players… Serena had her serve and was so powerful. I don’t know what he could tell me, he would say: ‘Just get an ace.’ And I would say: ‘I can’t do that.’ I think Roger Federer was so talented that everything came to him naturally, and I believe that Rafa Nadal had that incredible physical condition and competitive mentality. But I feel that Novak was very tactical, and I think that relates more to my playing style.

Djokovic formed the Big 3 alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, which is the most competitive era in tennis history. The trio won 66 Grand Slams and spent almost 1,000 weeks as World No. 1.

Djokovic remains the only active member of the Big 3 today. Federer retired in 2022, whereas Nadal ended his professional tennis career in 2024.

Jessica Pegula loses in the Cincinnati Open final

Coco Gauff captured her second Cincinnati Open title with a commanding win over fellow American Jessica Pegula, making history as the first all‑American women’s final at the event in more than half a century. The 22‑year‑old showed poise and precision throughout, setting the tone early with a dominant first set.

Pegula, who had upset defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, tried to mount a comeback in the second set but couldn’t match Gauff’s consistency. Despite narrowing the scoreline, Pegula fell short as Gauff closed out the match with calm execution, converting nearly all her break point chances.

The victory adds another milestone to Gauff’s career, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most dangerous players heading into the US Open. She highlighted her growth since last season, noting how her confidence and tactical maturity have elevated her game. Pegula, meanwhile, acknowledged Gauff’s sharp level of play and predicted she would be a major threat in New York.

This win also deepens the rivalry between the two Americans, with their head‑to‑head record now tied. Having already beaten Pegula in Wuhan last year, Gauff’s latest triumph underscores her ability to rise in big finals, while Pegula continues to chase her first Cincinnati crown.

Novak Djokovic loses in the US Open mixed doubles

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka’s much-anticipated mixed doubles run at the US Open ended abruptly as Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova pulled off a surprise victory in the opening round. The upset highlighted the unpredictability of the revamped format and the strength of specialist doubles players.

Djokovic, holder of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, and Sabalenka, a four-time major champion, began their campaign strongly by taking the first set. However, Patten and Siniakova regrouped quickly, leveled the match, then dominated the decisive tiebreak. Their 4-1, 2-4, 10-2 win secured them a spot in the quarterfinals and stunned fans who had expected the star pairing to advance deep into the draw.

Siniakova sealed the victory with a wide ace on match point, a fitting finish against one of the tournament’s headline duos. Patten reflected on the intensity of the format, noting how a single slip can swing momentum drastically. He praised their resilience in the tiebreak, emphasizing how crucial it was to stay sharp against such decorated opponents.

The mixed doubles event, now staged before the singles main draw for the second consecutive year, continues to spark debate. Organizers revamped the competition to attract elite singles players, which has boosted attendance and visibility. Yet, some doubles specialists argue the smaller draw reduces opportunities for established teams. Last year, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their title

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