"Jessica Pegula never needed tennis. She simply kept showing up for it anyway, through the long and often anonymous slog of the professional tour. Now 32 and the oldest player in the top 10, Pegula is having her best season start yet. The fifth-ranked American reached the Australian Open semifinals for the first time in January, falling to eventual champion Elena Rybakina."
"She failed to qualify for Grand Slam main draws in 12 of 14 attempts from 2011 to 2018, and didn't reach the third round at a major until the 2020 U.S. Open at age 26. All three of her Grand Slam semifinal runs - along with her 2024 U.S. Open final - have come after she turned 30."
"Pegula said this week that her patience and persistence stem from 'always being a little more mature for my age even when I was younger.' 'I think as I've gotten older, your perspective changes as well,' she added."
Jessica Pegula, now 32 and the oldest player in the top 10, is having her breakthrough season. She reached the Australian Open semifinals in January before winning the Dubai 1000-level tournament. With a 15-2 record in 2026, she trails only Elina Svitolina in match wins. Pegula is guaranteed to become the top-ranked American if she reaches the Indian Wells final. A late bloomer, she struggled early in her career, failing to qualify for Grand Slam main draws repeatedly until 2020. All three of her Grand Slam semifinal runs and her 2024 U.S. Open final appearance came after turning 30. She attributes her success to maturity, patience, and perspective gained with age.
#jessica-pegula #tennis-career-breakthrough #late-bloomer-success #australian-open-and-dubai #professional-persistence
Read at Los Angeles Times
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