Jessica
Pegula unveiled the attire she will be donning at the 2023
US Open, drawing
inspiration from tennis legend
Billie Jean King.
Pegula's
ensemble stands out with its blue-toned jacket adorned with graceful white
stripes, paired with a matching skirt and white sneakers accented with blue
laces.
These
elements pay homage to the iconic attire King sported during her historic
"Battle of the Sexes" showdown against Bobby Riggs in 1973, a match
etched in history that she triumphed in over three memorable sets.
The
symbolism of that showdown reverberated strongly in women's tennis,
underscoring the quest for gender equality in the sport. The image of Pegula's
outfit, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, August 19, sparked a flurry
of reactions across social media:
"Jessica
Pegula's outfit for the US Open 🔥. Both
the jacket and the shoes are inspired by Billie Jean King's iconic looks over
the years, celebrating 50 years since she won the Battle of the Sexes,"
the tweet read.
In the
"Battle of the Sexes," American trailblazer King set one of the most
enduring precedents in sports, championing equality and equal prizes.
With her
sights set on the upcoming US Open, the 29-year-old Pegula aims to surpass her
previous quarterfinal achievement from last year. Throughout this season, she
has showcased her prowess with a WTA 1000 title in Montreal and a runner-up
finish in Doha's final.
Nonetheless,
the competition promises to be fierce, with notable contenders like Iga
Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina vying for the prestigious title at
Flushing Meadows.
Jessica
Pegula's recent campaign at the 2023 Cincinnati Open came to an end in the
third round, as she faced a two-set defeat at the hands of Marie Bouzkova.
Merely a week after triumphing at the Canada Open, Pegula couldn't replicate
her success in Ohio and retired following a resounding 4-6, 0-6 defeat.