"Her health struggles the past year made this tournament a goal to win": Jessica Pegula calls Korea Open win 'extra special' due to native mother
WTA
Jessica
Pegula dedicated an emotional message after winning the Korea Open, the country
where her mother, Kim Pegula, hails from.
Despite not
originally planning to participate in the Korea Open, Pegula decided to enter
at the last minute following her early exit from the China Open. She received a
wildcard entry from the organizers and entered the tournament as the top seed.
The
American, who has had a great year, lived up to her billing as the favorite and
won the tournament without much difficulty, defeating China's Yue Yuan 6-2, 6-3
in the final. Along the way, she had already overcome Viktoria Kuzmova, Ashlyn
Krueger, Clare Liu, and Yanina Wickmayer.
Read also
With her
fantastic week in Korea, Pegula secured her fourth career title and her second
of the year. She also maintained her World No. 4 ranking, despite the pressure
from Elena Rybakina, who had been closing the gap in the WTA Ranking.
Pegula used
her social media to send a message to her fans and, in particular, to the
people who supported her in Korea. She also mentioned her connection with the
Asian country, where her mother is from:
“This one
is extra special. I am half Korean. I don’t speak and I am still learning about
my culture (my mom was adopted and left on a doorstep of a Korean police
station) but I have been overwhelmed by the support from Korean fans,” Pegula
said.
Read also
“My mom
visited her orphanage here when I played this event 4 years ago. It was the
first time she felt open about learning about her past,” she added.
Her health
struggles the past year made this tournament a goal to win. It has been such an
honor to play in front of you,” world No. 4 concluded.
With this
result, Pegula has essentially closed out her calendar, and her next and final
challenge will be at the WTA Finals. This will be her second participation, as
she was there last year but fell in the round-robin phase, suffering three
losses and no wins.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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