Jessica Pegula has revealed that she is relieved not to be feeling "a ton of pressure" as the American No. 1 due to the strength of her compatriots, especially as a lot of attention rests on Coco Gauff at the US Open.
Despite being the third seed and top-ranked home player at the New York major, Pegula has seen much of the attention go to her compatriot and doubles partner Gauff.
This comes after both women had a successful time on the WTA North American swing, with Pegula taking the victory at the Canadian Open a week before Gauff won the Cincinnati Open title. However, the 19-year-old also emerged victorious at the DC Open earlier in the month, meaning she edged past Pegula in terms of very recent success.
As the Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows got underway, Pegula was asked if she had any reaction to world No. 6 Gauff getting so much focus, to which the 29-year-old replied that she didn't mind at all.
"I don’t mind. She’s been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention. She’s obviously very young, playing really well. She’s super electric to watch. She loves the crowd. I don’t really have a preference. Either way, I just want to do the best I can," she said.
Moreover, Pegula added that she was glad for the deep field of tennis talent in her country as it meant she didn't feel a lot of pressure to win the major on home soil.
"It’s nice that even though I’m the top American... I can’t imagine carrying a ton of pressure if it’s only me. It’s nice there’s a lot of us that are doing well and have chances to go deep here. It’s nice not feeling like I have to be the one to win the US Open when there are like 6 other girls that could do it," she continued.
Pegula defeated Camila Giorgi in the opening round of the US Open and will now go on to face Romania's Patricia Maria Tig.
Jessica Pegula was asked if she has any reaction to so much focus being on Coco Gauff at the US Open: “I don’t mind. She’s been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention. She’s obviously very young, playing really well. She’s super electric to watch. She loves…
