Jessica Pegula, the American tennis standout known for her steady and professional performance, has announced that she plans to retire from professional tennis by the age of 35. Speaking on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, the 31-year-old revealed that she will certainly conclude her career before reaching that age, setting a clear endpoint for her time on the court.
Her retirement timeline is closely linked to her aspirations around the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which she hopes will mark the final highlight of her tennis journey. The Olympics have previously been a significant stage for Pegula, who represented the United States in both the 2021 and 2024 Games.
Targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Ahead of Retirement
Pegula made it clear that playing in the 2028 Olympics is a major goal before she steps away from the sport. With the Olympics scheduled to take place in L.A., the opportunity to compete on home soil adds extra motivation. She expressed the challenge of maintaining her performance over the next few years but remains hopeful about qualifying.
I definitely will not be playing at 35. Definitely not. That’s when I for sure have to stop,
Pegula said during the podcast.
I think it would be cool to try to make the Olympics since it’s in L.A. in a couple years. Three years is a long time, though.
She added,
I’m counting technically like two years. Then you qualify, so I’ll probably have an idea by then if I’m in or not. So we’ll make it sound like two.
This timeline reflects her realistic approach to balancing career longevity with the goals she still wants to achieve in tennis.
Current Season and Competitive Standing
At present, Pegula is participating in the Cincinnati Open, where her third-round match against Magda Linette was paused before the start of the third set due to weather conditions. Should she advance, she would face either Clara Tauson or Veronika Kudermetova in the fourth round of this WTA 1000 Masters event.
Ranked No. 4 in the WTA, Pegula holds an impressive 37-15 win-loss record this season, along with three singles titles. As the North American Hard Court Swing culminates at the upcoming US Open, Pegula is expected to continue being a major contender, drawing attention from tennis fans and American audiences alike.
Significance of Pegula’s Retirement and Olympic Ambitions
Jessica Pegula’s announcement sets a definitive and focused path for the remainder of her professional career. With retirement planned at 35, her pursuit of competing in the 2028 Olympics serves as a meaningful final challenge, combining personal milestones with national pride. Fans should anticipate seeing her maintain a strong presence on the tour for the coming years, including major tournaments like the US Open.
Her journey illustrates the careful planning elite athletes undertake to balance competitive goals with career longevity. Pegula’s focus on ending her career on such a prestigious international stage highlights the significance of the Olympics within her sport and personal legacy.