Jessica Pegula bashes Reilly Opelka for his insensitive comments about doubles
Jessica Pegula in the wake of Reilly Opelka's comments about doubles gives her own opinions.
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Reilly Opelka and Jessica Pegula
A week ago, Reilly Opelka understated the importance of doubles events that are organized in the tennis tournaments. According to him, doubles matches are boring and must be discontinued in the interest of the sport. However, many tennis players do not agree with Reilly Opelka’s views and one amongst them is Jessica Pegula.
Jessica Pegula is the highest-ranked American female tennis player in both singles and doubles. She has found relative success in last couple of seasons in both singles and doubles events. She was also instrumental in winning campaign of Team USA in the mixed-gender format competition United Cup 2023.
In an interaction with journalists on the sidelines of the Miami Open, she was asked about her opinions on Reilly Opelka’s views about doubles. She candidly refutes Opelka’s comments and views. She also more than one occassion expressed her love for playing doubles.
“Yeah. I think Reilly may be a little bored. He has been hurt a little bit for a while. I like Reilly, but he always likes to make these comments and get people talking, which I like that about him as well. You know, he is not afraid to say what he wants.He is entitled to that opinion, but I personally love playing doubles. But, I mean, I could see his point, but at the same time I do think that tennis recreationally most players play doubles. So I think there is some sort of fan base there,” she said.
“I don’t really think we’ve tapped into that maybe the best because, I mean, everyone in South Florida, you look at all these leagues, all these women’s, ladies doubles leagues. It’s their whole life. It’s so popular. So I think there is something there. Maybe we just haven’t reached it,” she explained the importance of doubles and wants that these events get their due respect.
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Jessica Pegula tells her playing experience with her doubles partner
The World No. 3 does enjoy her doubles partnership with compatriot Coco Gauff. The all-American pair has achieved great success together. Last season, they reached the final of the French Open ladies doubles event. However, they lost to all-French pair of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic and also played in the WTA Finals 2022.
Hence, they continued their partnership this year too. Talking more about this Jessica Pegula regards her experience playing as doubles partners with Coco Gauff and why she loves to play in the doubles discipline.
“But, obviously, playing with Coco, you know, the last year or so, like, we get great crowds. So for me it’s fun because our atmosphere is always pretty good. We do well. We have a lot of people that support us. But, also, it is because our singles rankings are also very high. It’s a Catch-22, I guess, in a way,” she expressed.
“I, again, love playing doubles. I love to stay in competition mode. I like to do that on an off day like tomorrow instead of just practice for an hour, like, mindlessly. You know, think about the next match. I like staying in that mindset, so for me that’s what really helps me, and that’s why I love playing it, and I think I get to work on a lot of things. That’s why I prefer it,” she continued.
Jessica Pegula also criticized Reilly Opelka for his comments on doubles players.
“And I know obviously a lot of doubles players are super passionate and are very good athletes and do well and make a pretty good living playing. So, I mean, I don’t agree with his rash comments personally. I like playing doubles, but that’s his opinion. He can say that, I guess,” she added further.
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Abhar Indorkar
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