Jessica Pegula Reacts to the Humid Conditions Players Are Struggling With at the Wuhan Open

Jessica Pegula has revealed that the conditions at the Wuhan Open have been very humid since the tournament kicked off on Saturday (October 4). The humid conditions at the tournament have forced the likes of Emma Raducanu and Clara Tauson to retire from their matches after just less than an hour.

Raducanu was one of the notable players to retire from her first-round match against America’s Ann Li after going behind 1-6, 1-4. Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko also pulled out of her opening match due to the heat conditions. She was down 0-6, 1-2 against Sorana Cirstea.

She revealed after the match that she suffered a heat stroke. On Thursday (October 9), Clara Tauson was forced to retire from her round of 16 against Italy’s star Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16. The hot conditions have also been prevalent at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, which forced Jannik Sinner to retire from his third-round match.

Sinner’s retirement at the event raised questions about what the most suitable temperature is for players to play in. However, a heat rule has been used at the Wuhan Open this week that kicks in when temperatures are soaring, with the roof of the Center Court partially closed to protect players and fans.

During an interview with Tennis365, Pegula was asked about the conditions of the court minutes after beating fellow American star Hailey Baptiste. The World No.6 revealed that the closing of the Center Court roof has reduced the humid nature of the court, but the heat has been almost unbearable:

I think the roof situation obviously helps. It was super humid today. I honestly wasn’t bothered by the heat at all. It was just very humid. So I was just sweating a lot, but having that little bit of shade, I think, definitely helps. The other day was very, very hot. I’m from Florida and I’m used to the heat, but it was hot. I was feeling it. I think everyone who had to play that day was really struggling.

Pegula needed to overcome Baptiste in three sets to reach the round of 16 of the Wuhan Open. The American star reached the semi-finals of the China Open but failed to reach the championship match after losing to Linda Noskova. The 31-year-old will be hoping to win her first Wuhan title.

Jessica Pegula reaches the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open after a hard-fought battle against Ekaterina Alexandrova

Jessica Pegula fought hard to beat an outrageous Ekaterina Alexandrova on Thursday (October 9) at the Wuhan Open. The American has to work hard against her Russian opponent, who looked in form. Pegula won the first set but Alexandrova claimed the second set before the 31-year-old finished up the match 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Pegula revealed during her on-court interview that it took time for her to adjust to the conditions of the court during the high-level match. She added that she’s now having to play three-set matches more often on tour in recent weeks:

I can’t remember the last time I played two sets. But I’ve been competing really hard and I’ve been playing a lot of really good players. It was different conditions today with the roof closed and I think it took us a little while to get adjusted, but then I felt like it was a really high level there for the rest of the match.

Pegula will now face Katerina Siniakova in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open. Pegula now becomes the oldest player to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open and Wuhan Open in the same season (aged 31 years and 224 days) beating Petra Kvitova’s record of 29 years and 206 days.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka Seeks Credit From Novak Djokovic for his Heroic Performances in Shanghai

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW