Serena Williams’ retirement has opened up the Tour claims Jessica Pegula who fancies her chances at winning a Grand Slam in 2024 

Jessica Pegula qualified for the WTA Finals for a second consecutive time this year.

Serena Williams’ retirement has opened up the Tour claims Jessica Pegula who fancies her chances at winning a Grand Slam in 2024 

Jessica Pegula, Serena Williams (Images via Tennis.com, Axios)

American tennis ace Jessica Pegula had a great 2023 as she reached her maiden 2023 WTA Finals final. Although Pegula lost to Iga Swiatek in the summit clash, she won over the tennis fans with her domination in the group stage of the year-ending championships in the tough conditions in Mexico. But despite all the effort, a Grand Slam title has eluded Pegula who now sees a chance considering there is no Serena Williams on the tour anymore.

Pegula believes that Serena Williams’ retirement has opened the Tour with opportunities for everyone. The 29-year-old American who recently headlined the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024 believes she is getting closer to her goal of winning a Grand Slam title.

YouTube video

Jessica Pegula has reached five quarter-finals at the last eight majors. However, she has failed to convert those chances into a title. Nevertheless, the ‘late bloomer’ has all the belief in herself to win a Grand Slam title in the post-Serena Williams era.

FS Video
It’s interesting with Serena being out. It’s different, it feels more open. Even when she wasn’t playing full time she was still the favourite and now it’s a different time, even though we have already seen who the top players are. But it’s an opportunity for everyone. I think why not me? I think there’s a lot of opportunity for everyone.
Jessica Pegula said to Forbes.

Jessica Pegula draws inspiration from Coco Gauff to win Grand Slam title

The 29-year-old American also talked about drawing inspiration from her doubles partner Coco Gauff who recently won her maiden Grand Slam title, at the 2023 US Open. Jessica Pegula said that Gauff winning the title instilled belief in her that she could also claim one soon.

Jessica-Pegula-WTA_Finals
Jessica Pegula at the 2023 WTA Finals (Image via Tennis.com)

The 2023 WTA Finals finalist said that she is one of those players who have ample opportunities in front of them and hence would like to use it to her advantage in her bid to win her maiden Grand Slam title.

We saw Coco Gauff take advantage of that at the US Open, [she] really got hot this summer and proved she can be a Slam champion. I think that definitely motivates me as well. I think there’s a lot of opportunity right now for a lot of girls, me being one of them. Hopefully, I can take advantage of that.
Jessica Pegula said.

Notably, Jessica Pegula had two chances at winning her maiden Grand Slam title this year as she reached the quarterfinals at 2023 Wimbledon and the 2023 Australian Open. However, while she lost to eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova at The Championships, Pegula was toppled by Victoria Azarenka at the year’s first Grand Slam.

Nevertheless, she will take inspiration from her performances in the latter half of the season when she takes the court in Melbourne next year.

In case you missed!