Jessica Pegula Reflects on Passage of Time and How Having Children Could Affect Her Career

Jessica Pegula breezed past Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 6-3 to book a spot in the fourth round of Wimbledon for the second time in her career. The first time she made the fourth round was in 2023, with her run ending in the quarterfinals.

At the press conference after her win, the 32-year-old admitted that she is feeling the passage of time. She said that over the years, her perspective on having a career and starting a family has changed.

I don’t think you should live in a hurry, but right now, I almost have the opposite mindset. It also influences the fact that I am married, and you start to think about whether you want to have children, because these are decisions that directly affect your career.

Pegula, the 2024 US Open finalist, got engaged to longtime partner Taylor Gahagen in 2019, and they tied the knot in 2021.

When I turned 30, I probably felt more pressure. Now, I try to accept that things will come as they have to. Whether it’s winning a Grand Slam, never winning it, retiring and starting a family, or any other path I end up taking. It’s something I think about, yes, but you can’t turn it into constant pressure. It’s about understanding where you are in your career, feeling at peace with it, and letting things unfold naturally.

Jessica Pegula added

Apart from the 2024 US Open final, the only times Pegula made the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament were at the 2026 Australian Open and the 2025 US Open. Pegula is chasing her third title on grass. She has so far played three finals on the surface.

Jessica Pegula will face Iva Jovic in the fourth round

Jessica Pegula will be up against a seeded player for the first time in the tournament. She will face countrywoman Iva Jovic, who knocked out Ekaterina Alexandrova to reach the fourth round of a Major for the second time in her career.

Iva has already established herself as a Top-20 player, and I think she can go even further. She is increasingly confident. It will be a very nice challenge because she plays without fear and with nothing to lose. I know she will go all out, and that will also serve as motivation for me.

Jessica Pegula said at the press conference

Pegula will be facing the 18-year-old for the third time in her career following this year’s Dubai Open and the semifinals of the Charleston Open, both of which were won by World No.4. Jovic is competing at Wimbledon for the second time in her career.

On her debut last year, she suffered an opening-round exit. Pegula, too, fell in the first round last year. Jovic has so far played one Grand Slam quarterfinal, in this year’s Australian Open, where eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka eliminated her.

Jovic has so far played two tour-level finals. After winning last year’s Guadalajara Open by defeating Emiliana Arango, Jovic lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in this year’s Hobart International.

Pegula, the winner of 11 singles titles from 23 finals, has played three finals this year. After defeating Elina Svitolina in Dubai, she defended her title at the Charleston Open by defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva. Prior to arriving at Wimbledon, she suffered defeat at the hands of Linda Noskova in the Berlin Open.

The winner of Pegula versus Jovic will face Coco Gauff or Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, who has yet to reach a final this season, is competing as the defending champion (double-bageled Amanda Anisimova in the final last year).

Also read: Iga Swiatek Explains How Changing Wimbledon Grass Courts Level the Playing Field for Heavy Topspin