“Not like Iga or Coco,” Jessica Pegula counts her strengths in comparison to her opponents
Jessica Pegula compares herself with her opponents especially Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff and speak on her strengths in a press-conference on the sidelines of the Qatar Ladies Open 2023.
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Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula is a force to reckon with on the court. She is currently ranked as World No.4 in the latest WTA rankings. However, she is often compared against her younger opponents such as Iga Swiatek and compatriot Coco Gauff.
She is currently in Qatar to play in the Qatar Ladies Open 2023. On the sidelines of the tournament, in a press conference, she admitted that she is not as athletic and agile like the Polish or the American. She also considers that she is not able to generate as much spin on the ball as others.
“I think athletic-wise I’m not like Iga or Coco where I’m sliding all over the court. Sometimes I wish I hit with more spin. I think sometimes I try, but naturally it’s just not my thing,” she said in the press-conference.
However, the 28-year old compensate for it through her excellent hand-eye coordination which gives her an edge over her opponents.
“But I think my hand and eye coordination is also very, very good. So I’m able to time the ball well,” she continued.
Also, she counts on her aggressive playing style to win against her opponents.
“When I’m playing hard and deep, it really bothers a lot of girls,” she added further.
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Jessica Pegula’s performance this season
The American started her 2023 season by participating in the mixed-gender format competition United Cup 2023. Jessica Pegula helped her country Team USA win the inaugural edition of this competition. Her pairing with Taylor Fritz was the talk of the town. They remained invincible throughout the course of the tournament.
However, the major highlight of the tournament was her victory against Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals. She beat the Polish player 6-2, 6-2 and paved the way for USA’s podium finish. She came to Australian Open riding on high hopes. However, she could only manage to reach till the quarterfinals in the singles event. She was knocked out of the tournament by veteran Victoria Azarenka.
In the doubles event, she paired with Coco Gauff and reached till the semi-finals. Here, the all-American pair was defeated by the all-Japanese pair of Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama 2-6, 6(7)-7(9). She also participated in the mixed-doubles event with Austin Krajicek. However, the pair was knocked out in the first-round itself. They were defeated by an American-Czech pair of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Mate Pavic 7(7)-6(4), 5-7, 8-10.
She will start her journey in the Qatar Ladies Open by playing against Jelena Ostapenko.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)