Jessica Pegula’s unexpected Wimbledon first round loss to Elisabetta Cocciaretto has drawn attention from the tennis world, with insights from her inner circle revealing new details about the defeat. This Jessica Pegula Wimbledon first round loss, one of the tournament’s major surprises, has also led to speculation about her upcoming hard court season and her plans for recovery.

Insights from Pegula’s Circle Following Early Exit

Pegula came into Wimbledon as the world number three, having recently triumphed in Bad Homburg with a win over Iga Swiatek. Despite that momentum, she was swiftly ousted from Wimbledon’s first round by world number 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretto, marking her earliest Grand Slam loss in five years. The match wrapped up in just an hour, signaling a stunning reversal for the American star.

Following the match, former top-ten player Andrea Petkovic discussed what she heard directly from someone connected to Pegula when appearing on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. Petkovic shared,

“I don’t know who I spoke to but I spoke to somebody – I don’t know if it was directly from Jessie’s camp or someone around her – but somebody told me yesterday that Cocciaretto played the match of her life,”

—Andrea Petkovic, Former World No. 9.

Fellow analyst Rennae Stubbs studied the contest and noted Cocciaretto’s standout performance, but she also commented critically on Pegula’s mindset during the match.

“She did not miss and they play very similarly,”

—Rennae Stubbs, Analyst. Stubbs explained that both players prefer to play close to the baseline, which is pivotal on grass. While Pegula tried to impose her game, Cocciaretto responded with sharp movement and absorbed the pace, leaving Pegula struggling to adapt.

Stubbs elaborated further by stating,

“I think Cocciaretto’s balance and her knee bend really helped her. She served well. Jess’s attitude wasn’t great, sometimes you have to adjust, I think she tried to in some regards but Cocciaretto was the better player in the end.”

—Rennae Stubbs, Analyst.

Statistics from the match highlighted Pegula’s challenging performance—she hit 24 unforced errors with only five winners, compared to Cocciaretto’s aggressive consistency.

Looking Ahead: Pegula’s North American Campaign

Despite her surprise defeat in London, Pegula’s WTA ranking position remains mostly intact for now. However, with the North American hard court season approaching, she faces pressure to defend crucial ranking points. Nearly half of Pegula’s total points—46%—are at stake over the coming months, culminating at the US Open, where she previously reached her first Grand Slam final.

Pegula is also expected to defend her 1000 points from last year’s Canadian Open, with Montreal hosting the event this time. Her immediate schedule places her as the top seed for the WTA 500 event in Washington D.C., which starts on July 21. With no points to defend in Washington since she missed last year’s event, the tournament provides an important opportunity for Pegula to regain momentum as she heads into the challenging North American stretch.

The reaction from Pegula’s team and fellow professionals suggests that while the loss at Wimbledon was both unexpected and significant, her camp remains focused on supporting her preparation for a busy summer. How Pegula adapts and responds to this setback—particularly in tournaments featuring strong fields such as Montreal and at her home Grand Slam—will be closely watched by both her inner circle and tennis fans worldwide.