Jessica Pegula declines to put Coco Gauff in Serena Williams’ shoes as she compares herself to the teen in carrying the American tennis

Jessica Pegula calls Coco Gauff the 'present and future' of women's tennis in America

Jessica Pegula declines to put Coco Gauff in Serena Williams’ shoes as she compares herself to the teen in carrying the American tennis

Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Serena Williams(Images via Tennis.com and Tennis 365)

World No. 5 Jessica Pegula refused to put friend and doubles partner Coco Gauff in Serena William’s shoes. While the American was happy to carry the weight of American tennis with her compatriot, she was not comfortable putting Gauff in Serena Williams’ shoes. She also believed that Gauff had the upper hand when it came to who had a more successful career.

When asked in a press conference, how she sees the present and future of American tennis, Pegula had a convincing response. She said that she was ten years senior to her compatriot and Gauff had already won a Grand Slam. She also justified herself by saying that Gauff had a lot more years on the tour compared to her. As a result of the 10-year age gap, it is inevitable that Pegula will be retiring long before Gauff does. However, Pegula claimed that Gauff was the better player among them, considering the fact that Gauff had already bagged a Grand Slam title at their home Slam.

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Nevertheless, she was also apprehensive about comparing the youngster to Serena Williams. Pegula said:

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Again, comparing to Serena's a big feat. I don't think anyone's like Serena. I think Serena's her own person.

She believes that Williams was the ‘GOAT’ and that filling up her shoes would be quite the impossible feat.

While Gauff is doing extremely well at just nineteen years old. She won her maiden Masters 1000 title as well as her first Grand Slam in the 2023 season. However, at this point in her career, it is unfair to say that she will be filling Williams’ shoes. With 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, she was in quite a league of her own. However, with her recently retiring from the sport, it seems like it is up to the next generation like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula to take over from the veteran.

Jessica Pegula calls Coco Gauff the future of American tennis

With Serena Williams retiring from the sport and her sister Venus Williams nearing the end of her career, it seems like a void has been left in American women’s tennis. However, this void id slowly being filled by the likes of Coco Gauff and Serena Williams

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff(Image via Southern Living)

However, Pegula seemed happy to call her compatriot, ‘the present and future’ of women’s tennis in America. Pegula added: 

But I think Coco is the present and the future. I think she's still gonna have long ways to grow and get better in the sport.

At just 19 years of age, Gauff has a long way to go in terms of her career. However, considering her achievements so far, it is safe to say that she will be reaching great heights.

Pegula also admitted that if the nineteen year old were to stay healthy, she was going to be on the tour much longer than herself. She was also happy to mention that she does not see herself filling Williams’ shoes. However, she was happy to be a part of women’s tennis in America and being a torchbearer for the same.

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