Jessica Pegula explains last-minute withdrawal from WTA Finals: “I just feel like I’m not comfortable moving on the court”
WTA
Jessica
Pegula explained the reasons behind her withdrawal from the WTA Finals before
facing Iga Swiatek. The American decided not to play her final Round Robin
match after being eliminated, despite a prize of £270,000 (US $291,000).
The world
No. 6 apologized to fans after suffering a minor injury that worsened during
her participation in Riyadh. Pegula explained on social media that she didn’t
feel fit to play the last match of the group stage.
“What
started as a really small issue flared up over the last two matches, and I just
can’t continue tomorrow. I’m sorry to the fans and tournament. I really had a
great week of preparation and had high hopes here, but it just wasn’t meant to
be. Thank you for the warm welcome, Riyadh.”
Read also
Injury forces Pegula’s WTA Finals exit
After her
withdrawal from the tournament, Pegula was replaced by Daria Kasatkina, who
received £174,000 (US $187,000) as an alternate and took to the court to face
Iga Swiatek. However, the Russian had a tough showing, losing 1-6, 0-6 to the
world No. 2, who was seeking her qualification.
Pegula, who
lost her two matches against Barbora Krejcikova and Coco Gauff, was eliminated
early from the tournament. She acknowledged on the WTA website that she has
been dealing with an injury. “I’ve just been kind of struggling with a little
bit of an injury and for whatever reason, it kind of really flared up this
week. Not really sure why.”
“In the few
days before practice, it felt really, really good, but it started creeping up
right before my first match, and I just feel like I’m not comfortable moving on
the court,” added the 2024 US Open runner-up.
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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