NEW YORK — Jessica Pegula, widely seen as a strong contender at the U.S. Open, is entering this year’s tournament amid a difficult stretch in her performance. The 31-year-old New York native and current Florida resident, seeded No. 4 at Flushing Meadows, has struggled recently, losing four of her last six singles matches heading into the event.
Her recent early exits at major tournaments include Wimbledon, where she faced her quickest elimination in five years, as well as losses in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati. These results have tempered expectations for Pegula’s U.S. Open comeback.
Flaws and Frustrations in Pegula’s Game
Despite her talent and strong record, Pegula has spoken candidly about her struggles. She admits to inconsistency and dissatisfaction with her current level of play, describing her performance as “up and down” and at times “sloppy.”
“I don’t really feel like I’m playing great tennis. At times, I am, but I feel very up and down, kind of sloppy, which I don’t like. It really bothers me. I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I don’t like having to say that,”
said Pegula, whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
She acknowledged the cyclical nature of her form and the importance of mental resilience.
“I feel like I’ve gone through phases in my career — a few tournaments — where I feel like that, sometimes, and you have to figure out how to get out of it and not feel sorry for yourself or make excuses,”
she said.
“I’ve got to figure it out.”
Context of Pegula’s Historic 2023 U.S. Open Run
Pegula’s connection to the U.S. Open remains strong. The tournament was the stage for her best Grand Slam achievement last year when she made an impressive run to the final. That breakthrough was particularly notable as it marked the beginning of a dominant phase for American women in Grand Slam finals, with Madison Keys and Coco Gauff winning major titles shortly afterward.
Before that breakthrough, Pegula had a tough record in major quarterfinals, standing at 0-6. However, she upset then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in a convincing 6-2, 6-4 victory to reach the semifinals. She then advanced to her first Grand Slam final by beating 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought three-set match.
Ultimately, Pegula fell to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a tight final, 7-5, 7-5, but the experience marked a career milestone and raised expectations for her future performances at the U.S. Open.
Pressure and Confidence Fuel Pegula’s Current Mindset
Reflecting on this year’s U.S. Open, Pegula acknowledges that the pressure has increased compared to her breakthrough run last year, yet she also feels more self-assured.
“There’s a little bit more pressure,”
she said.
“but at the same time, (there is) a little bit more confidence. Coming into this swing last year, there wasn’t as much pressure, but I also was a little worried about how I would do.”
This blend of pressure and confidence defines Pegula’s approach as she attempts to regain her form and replicate past successes on her favored hard courts.
What Jessica Pegula’s U.S. Open Prospects Mean Moving Forward
Jessica Pegula’s ongoing struggles contrast with the promise her recent past has shown, making her U.S. Open 2024 campaign a critical test. Her ability to bounce back from difficult results will influence not only her performance but also her standing among the world’s elite players.
Given her deep ties to New York and affinity for hard-court play, a strong showing at Flushing Meadows would reaffirm Pegula’s status as a top contender. If she can overcome her recent inconsistencies, she may once again become a serious threat to claim a Grand Slam title, continuing the notable surge of American women in tennis’s biggest events.