(VIDEO) Jessica Pegula waits at edge of court as oblivious coach looks at phone after title success in Dubai

Not everyone was paying attention to Jessic Pegula after she secured a fourth WTA 1000 title in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She got the better of Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 to continue her fine form in 2026.

Both players went into the final in great form after previously reaching the Australian Open semi-final stage. They had secured this eye-catching milestone by defeating some high calibre players by the name of Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff respectively. They did the same in Dubai to confirm a spot in the final, this time against each other.

Pegula was the faster starter as she raced into a sizeable 3-0 lead. Most crucially, it involved two breaks of serve. With already a mountain to climb, Svitolina's hard worked to get one of the breaks back was almost extinguished immediately and Pegula went 4-1 ahead before seeing it out in serve to secure a huge boost in her title ambitions.

These were realised soon after when at 2-2 in the second set, Pegula saw her opportunity. The American won four points in a row to clinch that much-needed break and sailed into a 3-2 lead. Svitolina, tried as she might, failed to make any inroads into a very clinical Pegula serve and the former US Open finalist saw the match out to her delight.

Someone who had been following the action with a close eye was her coach Mark Knowles, looking on at the progress she was making. Once the match was over, a huge sense of relief and jubilance was felt by Pegula who celebrated her title victory.

That was the complete opposite of what Knowles did, who instantly went onto his phone. He was oblivious to his surroundings, even Pegula coming over to celebrate. There was a moment where she was at the edge of the court waiting to embrace her coach as Knowles, not knowing she was there, was blissfully on his phone. He soon realised that his player was right there and they shared a nice moment after a well deserved victory.

The pair have been working together since 2024, with Knowles overseeing a lot of success as Pegula cements herself as one of the world's best. In his own tennis career, Knowles was a doubles specialist who won four doubles Grand Slams and even spent some time as the world number one in doubles. He puts all his efforts in on Pegula now with the duo forming a lethal bond.

Up next for Pegula is a welcomed return back to the USA. She will celebrate her birthday on February 24 as the ATX Open commences in Austin, Texas. Pegula is the reigning champion and would love to add a second title in 2026 to continue her fine form ahead of the Sunshine swing.