American tennis star Jessica Pegula recently shared the intense mental challenges she endured during a tough stretch in her career, highlighting the emotional strain at the highest levels of competition. The World No. 4 detailed how setbacks and losses contributed to a difficult mental state in 2023, impacting her performance and mindset.
Struggles with Mental Strain and Burnout in 2023
Pegula opened up about the frustration and burnout she experienced throughout last year, describing a period in which she was especially hard on herself. She admitted that after defeats, her emotions ran high, often leaving her feeling overwhelmed.
“I think last year I was definitely way tougher on myself,”
Pegula said.
“I would just get really, really pissed after losing a match. Like very fresh, not like angry, but like a lot of frustration, and hard on myself.”
She recognized this intense frustration as part of a burnout cycle, explaining the negative spiral she fell into mentally.
“I would just be like, I’m so miserable after I lose. And I kind of knew though, okay, that I shouldn’t feel like that I need to kind of reset, like something needs to change.”
Part of the issue was Pegula’s tendency to overwork herself in response to poor results. She revealed that this behavior only intensified her struggles as she endlessly pushed for improvement without the desired outcomes.
“I tend to kind of overwork and overdo things and wanna do too much,”
she explained. She also said she constantly felt the need to practice more after losses:
“I need to practice more and more and more.”
Additionally, Pegula touched on the pressure from family early in her career, specifically citing her father’s demanding nature, which impacted her mental state during formative years.
Upcoming Match Against Magda Linette at the Cincinnati Open
Currently competing at the Cincinnati Open, Jessica Pegula secured her spot in the third round by defeating Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3. She is set to play against 31st seed Magda Linette next, who advanced with a 7-6(4), 6-0 win over Rebecca Šramková.
Pegula holds a winning record against Linette, having won all previous matches between them. The victor of this match will face either 16th seed Clara Tauson or Veronika Kudermetova in the fourth round.
Among the five top-10 American seeds at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open, only Coco Gauff and Madison Keys have currently reached the fourth round. Pegula will be eager to join them and advance further in the tournament.
Significance of Pegula’s Mental Struggles and Upcoming Challenges
Jessica Pegula’s candid discussion about her mental hurdles highlights the psychological demands tennis players face beyond physical competition. Her willingness to address burnout and frustration openly may help reduce stigma around mental health in sports.
As she continues to compete at events like the Cincinnati Open, managing these mental challenges will be essential in maintaining her performance and climbing higher in the rankings. The upcoming match against Magda Linette represents both a competitive test and an opportunity for Pegula to regain confidence during a challenging phase of her career.