WTA Finals Player Profile: Jessica Pegula

Current Ranking: 4
W/L: 55-17
Titles: 2 (Montréal, Seoul)
Grand Slam Record: 13-4
WTA Finals Appearance: 2
Best Result: Group Stage (2022)

There’s a steadiness to Jessica Pegula. Her even temperament, her metronomic, heavy ground strokes, her consistent results. Two titles—doubling her career total—two finals, four semifinals and four quarterfinals made for a very solid 2023. For most of the year the top-ranked American, Pegula is one of the Tour’s true dependable performers.

The highlight of her season was arguably the title in Montréal. Pegula became the first American to win the Canadian Open in a decade, beating both Gauff and Swiatek—who she was 0-4 against in 2022—in tight three-setters. It was her second career WTA 1000 title (Guadalajara), joining the Williams sisters as the only Americans with multiples.

If there’s a hole in her season, where Slams are concerned Pegula continues to be the quarterfinal kid. Three times she fell in that round in 2022. This year brought two more opportunities to clear the hurdle. Unfortunately, she came up short on both occasions: a straight-setter in Australia (Azarenka) and a final set collapse in Wimbledon (Vondrousova). Each match she was the bettor’s choice. With a Slam semi on the line, she’s now 0-6 lifetime.

As the season closes, Pegula is coming into Cancun following an emotional win in Seoul. The competition wasn’t the stiffest—none of her five opponents were ranked inside the Top 80—but it mattered as much for sentimental reasons. Pegula’s mother was born in South Korea before being adopted by an American family as a small child. It also marked the first time in her career that Pegula captured multiple titles in a season.

Grab Pegula’s Gear

Adidas Aeroready Pro Modular Leotard ($104) (Purchase now at TennisShop.com)

Pegula has spent her summer and fall competing in this unique piece from Adidas’s New York Collection. The skirt is detachable, so it can be worn separately or together with the leotard. Stylishly detailed with geometric designs, the highly stretchable, moisture-wicking fabric and laser-cut perforations gives the garment added breathability and comfort.