"I hadn't planned on playing. In the end, I had to play, almost out of necessity" - Sickness almost cancelled Jessica Pegula's DC Open ambitions

Jessica Pegula began her North American hardcourt swing earlier than some of the other top players at the DC Open. The number one seed would have the spotlight taken away from her in the final by Alexandra Eala in a three-set defeat. Ahead of her participation in the Canadian Open, the World No.3 unveiled her prior sickness ahead of the WTA 500 tournament and that she almost pulled out before completing that final run.

A two-time champion in this specific tournament, Pegula was determined to make it a hat-trick as she spoke in her press conference ahead of her first match. "I'm so excited to be back. I have so many wonderful memories here. I love playing in Canada. I think my results have always shown that, so I'm really happy to be back. It's been a quick change for me , but what's new in the world of tennis? It's always pretty fast. So I'll try my best to be ready tomorrow."

The shining light to have come out of last week was Eala who took home the DC Open title. She was not the favourite against Pegula in a match that was delayed by rain and played over two days. However, the Filipina had the necessary tools to make more history and break new ground.

Pegula put her finger on Eala's recent improvements. "I think it's due to the experience and confidence that comes with being at that level. I also think she learned to better control her emotions during the match. In Miami, everything was new, and she played with a lot of energy and adrenaline," she said.

"Now, having established herself on the tour as an elite player and having achieved several important victories since that tournament, I think that, at least in my experience, you learn to better control your emotions during a tournament . She did very well and was able to go out and play excellent tennis, especially after the rain delay."

She highlighted that the torrential conditions which halted proceedings did not do her chances of winning any good. Eala reacted the better and reaped the rewards, coming back from a set deficit on the Monday as Pegula was bageled.

"The rain delay was tough," Pegula admitted. "I felt I played much better on Sunday than on Monday. For some reason, I came out a bit sluggish. Sunday was a very long day. I think she played a bit better, and the difference between me not playing as well and her playing better is what turned the match around, which is a shame. I have no idea if I would have won on Sunday.

"I think at that moment, after winning the first set, and when I almost broke his serve at the end of the second before we stopped, I felt like I had more momentum. But then I went out on the court on Monday and felt like I returned terribly. So, to lose that momentum so quickly... it's always easier to maintain it once you find it than to have to come back and start all over again."

Later in the press conference, the 32-year-old explained how an illness almost impacted her involvement in the tournament, revealing her intentions at one point of possibly pulling out. However, she powered through and despite the consecutive days playing fared pretty well.

"The truth is, it was tough. Honestly, I didn't arrive in Washington, D.C., very prepared. I hadn't planned on playing. In the end, I had to play, almost out of necessity. I got sick right when I started training, so I was glad I didn't have to play until Thursday. But it was also tough having to play Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, straight through, without a break, without being able to rest at all because of the delay and having to play so soon. It's always a good problem to have, but I think on Sunday, to be honest, I was really tired."

She saw the positives in finally having the tournament end with a chance to rest before the trip to Canada, but that did not stop her from feeling upset over the defeat. "In fact, I felt better on Monday because at least I could go home and sleep after a very long day. That doesn't mean anything, obviously, because I went out and felt quite down that day, so perhaps it would have been better to finish on Sunday, when I wasn't feeling so well."

Whilst tough to navigate, she is experienced enough to know the challenge of playing a number of matches without rest. "It's been a bit tricky, but I think that's what these weeks are for," she commented. "I always see it as a challenge because I think that when it comes to these longer events, and to reaching a Grand Slam, you're going to have days when you feel a bit exhausted, with only one day of recovery, maybe you don't feel well, things can happen."

The US Open mixed doubles event will follow a similar format to last year in Flushing Meadows, and will take place from August 24-26 during Fan Week. Pegula partnered up with Draper after the Brit had to find numerous partners before settling with the American, and since then have a very positive relationship.

Pegula offered some insight on last year, when they reached the semi-finals. "Last year, playing mixed doubles with Jack definitely helped my preparation," she said. "Being able to play three matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium helps because it's a bit of a challenge, with a full crowd and a great atmosphere. Just getting out on the court and winning a few matches always gives you a bit of confidence, no matter what. You always hope it will help you in the singles matches. Obviously, you could lose in the first round and maybe it won't do you much good."

Despite barely knowing each other, they are on very good terms and keep in contact. "Last year, after a tough summer where I didn't get very good results, it definitely helped me a lot and propelled me to have an excellent US Open and a very good Asian tour. But yes, Jack and I hardly spoke before; we barely knew each other. I literally don't think we exchanged two words. It wasn't intentional. I don't feel like we moved in the same circles, for whatever reason. But now, I would say we're friends and we keep in touch from time to time."

She sympathised with Draper who is having a very tough time of it. The former World No.4 injury struggles have cost him the chance of regularly competing, and a teary exit from the Canadian Open in Montreal just adds to his problems.

The former US Open finalist is hopeful of reuniting on the court with him and that the injury problems subside. "I know he's been having some injury problems, and I saw today that he had a really tough day in his match in Montreal," Pegula noted.

"I don't know if we're going to play; we're supposed to play. Obviously, I know he's not at his best, so we'll see how it goes. But yes, I've always been a big fan, and it's been fun watching him play. He's a really nice guy, so I enjoy playing with him. Yes, it was a little strange how our personalities, in a way, didn't mesh, but at the same time, they did. It was a little odd. So it was fun, and he made a lot of funny comments, so I hope he recovers soon and we can see him back on the court."