"It’s a great birthday present for me": Jessica Pegula celebrates Dubai triumph ahead of 32nd birthday

After six consecutive semifinal finishes without a title, Jessica Pegula finally broke through at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The American defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in 1 hour and 12 minutes, claiming her 10th WTA Tour singles crown. “It’s a great birthday present for me,” commented the world No. 5, who will turn 32 on Monday. “Just super happy to go home with a trophy,” Pegula added during the trophy presentation.

Pegula’s journey through Dubai was defined by resilience and consistency. Two days before the final, she rallied from a set and a break down to overcome Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure. “Going deep in these tournaments, giving myself another chance, I was able to do that again this week."

Pegula arrived at the final after a grueling semifinal clash with compatriot Amanda Anisimova, coming from a set and a break down to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. "Come back from a tough match yesterday, then be able to play I feel like almost a perfect match tonight," she said in her press conference, highlighting her focus on execution."

From the opening game of the final, Pegula asserted control. After dropping the first two points, she won the next ten, breaking Svitolina twice to build a 3-0 lead. Her tactical precision and aggressive baseline play ensured she maintained momentum throughout the match. The victory also marked her sixth win in nine career meetings with Svitolina, and her first with both players ranked inside the Top 10, underscoring Pegula’s ability to succeed against elite opposition.

This Dubai triumph also carries historical significance. Pegula became the fourth player since 1990 to win multiple Tier I/WTA 1000 titles after turning 30, joining Martina Navratilova, Mary Pierce, and Serena Williams. She also became the second-oldest singles champion in Dubai, younger only than Venus Williams, who won the title at 33 years and 245 days. Pegula’s performance consolidates her status as one of the tour’s most consistent and durable competitors.

Elina Svitolina, who fell to Pegula in straight sets, offered praise for her opponent’s performance. “Unfortunately didn't find the ways to put her off balance. I think she played a wonderful match. She was striking the ball perfect. Played really solid match," Svitolina said, acknowledging the American’s command of the final.

Despite the loss, Svitolina maintained perspective, noting her own effort: “There's nothing negative I would say from this tournament because I put even today my 100% as much as I could,” the 2-time Doha champion said. “I tried to fight. I tried to come back into the match in the second. She played just too good."

Svitolina’s run in Dubai, while ending short of the title, reinforced her elite consistency. The Ukrainian has now lost just five finals compared with 19 career wins, maintaining a 79.2% win rate in WTA finals. Her performance secured her Top 10 ranking for the season and demonstrates that she remains a formidable contender in high-stakes tournaments.

Pegula’s victory, meanwhile, was celebrated both on and off the court. She praised the fans, emphasizing the shared excitement of live tournaments: “Thank you so much guys, for coming out to support us…What’s most fun for us is being able to play in front of the fans, so thank you so much for coming out.” Her comments underscored how player-fan engagement is central to the WTA experience and highlighted her appreciation for the tournament’s atmosphere over the week.

The title also represents a personal milestone. Pegula’s 10th career title and fourth WTA 1000 victory reflect her ability to maintain elite performance over time. By defeating four Top 20 players in a single event for the second time in her career, she confirmed her readiness to compete at the highest level consistently. Saturday’s win in Dubai serves as a testament to her patience, skill, and mental fortitude, securing a landmark achievement just ahead of her 32nd birthday.