"It's not like I feel like it's impossible": Jessica Pegula still believes in toppling Sabalenka and Rybakina
WTA
Jessica Pegula heads into the Miami Open on home soil in a place she resides and one where she hopes to unlock her top form again as she admits that she still holds the belief to beat the big names.
Sabalenka has been World No.1 since October 2024 having previously been World No.1 also for a short spell in 2023, while Rybakina just this week reached World No.2 in the WTA Rankings. The latter in particular has been the top earner and has the top points on the WTA Race showing her as being perhaps the best player in the world so far this year.
But Pegula has been the most in-form perhaps outside of those big names as she has won Dubai in February and has long been one of the best players in the world when it comes also to consistency levels. The American has repeatedly faced both Sabalenka and Rybakina in recent months albeit she has often lost.
Mostly to Rybakina as of late in the WTA Finals, Australian Open and Indian Wells and Sabalenka was a loss at the Miami Open in the final twelve months ago.
Speaking ahead of Miami, she believes she is an adaptation away from troubling those big names. “I think a lot of the matches I’ve lost, you know, big matches, have been more or less to them or to Coco [Gauff],” said Pegula.
“I’ve done really well as far as improving my game and kind of knowing what I need to do.
“I think I’ve been playing a little bit more aggressive. I think I’ve been serving a lot better. Always kind of working on my movement and figuring out different strategies and plays that I think will work well against them.
“But they’re playing some amazing, amazing tennis, and I think rightfully right now they are the two best players in the world, just by their results and the matches that they’ve had flipping back and forth at big tournaments and finals.”
Jessica Pegula waves at crowd.
Pegula still has belief to trouble big names
Pegula said though that she has strong belief that she can continue to trouble the top women and that she has beaten them both before so isn't exactly a huge hoodoo.
“I’ve beaten them before, so it’s not like I feel like it’s impossible, but I do feel like they’re playing some really good tennis and they’re the people to beat.
“Just being able to believe in that type of stuff when I’m playing them in big moments and big points is kind of the difference. But I’ve been right there and super close.
“It’s hard. They’re tall, big girls with big serves, and sometimes it’s a little frustrating for someone that’s not as tall. But I still think there’s a lot of stuff that I can do really well and keep improving to keep pushing them.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026 - Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
- Boss move, Sinner !Rapunzel27-10-2026
- Apparently still refusing to seek 'help' ...and still playing Dress-Up like a 10 year-old.mandoist27-10-2026
- Lena... Takin' care of businessmandoist25-10-2026
- Can you please stop publishing this nonsense? Stick to Tennis.mandoist25-10-2026
- Does Sinner need that 4.5 mil? I doubt it. He can make that with three modelling gigs!😅🤣Rapunzel21-10-2026
- Did "People Magazine" purchase this website? This nonstop storyline is bullshit.mandoist21-10-2026
