"I'm having all these amazing results but I want to win these tournaments" - Jessica Pegula opens up on Grand Slam ambitions

Jessica Pegula is setting sights on a first win Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, says she's "tired" of just coming short. The American world No. 3 made headlines last week after her victory against Iga Swiatek in the United Cup semi-finals left the world No. 1 in tears.

Now however, she's ready to compete in Melbourne Park. The 28-year-old made it to the quarter-finals of three slams last year, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the U.S Open, and she's ready to move up a level.

Read also

2023 Australian Open WTA Draw confirmed including Swiatek, Jabeur, Pegula, Raducanu, Fernandez, Gauff

“I was starting to realize like, OK, I’m having all these amazing results but I want to win these tournaments," Pegula said to the Guardian. "I’m tired of just being the consistent person which is great, but at the same time, I would love to win a slam and then maybe win less matches, you know? I don’t care."

Pegula also spoke about coming to terms with the fact that she may not be a widely rooted for tennis player due to her upbringing, with her parents being the owners of the Buffalo Bills NFL team and Buffalo Sabres NHL team.

Read also

"Thought about pulling out of the Australian Open" - Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula admit to burnout following United Cup victory

“I think people definitely root more for the underdog, and so I’ve never really felt like people are totally rooting for my story," she added. "I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just like, that’s what I feel. And I don’t care – it doesn’t affect me and that’s fine. I understand and I think I’ve gotten better at maybe trying to bridge the gap... It might not be an underdog story, but it’s kind of a cool story. A fun story."