Jessica Pegula: "I won't be disappointed if I don't win a Grand Slam"

Star American player Jessica Pegula is playing the best tennis of her career, having recently won a doubles title at the Miami Open with Coco Gauff.

Pegula, the third-best player on the WTA tour in singles and the World No. 4 in doubles, will play a slew of big events on clay over the next two months.

Pegula's goals have changed and her belief in what she can achieve has gone up over the last couple of years, and she is giving herself opportunities and chances every week. Despite her progress, Pegula is not putting pressure on herself to win a Grand Slam.

“I don’t think I would be disappointed [if I didn’t win a Slam],” she says, “but I think my goals and belief in what I can achieve—those definitely go up. It seems like they’ve gone up a lot in the last couple of years." - Jessica Pegula said

Pegula has completed 12 WTA tournaments since Wimbledon last summer, entering the singles and doubles events at each one, and she has been enlisted for singles and doubles duties as the U.S. plays a Billie Jean King Cup tie at Delray Beach next week. Her calendar belies her status, being more befitting for a tour journeywoman or a Major League Baseball team.

Jessica Pegula advances to Round of 16 at Charleston Open

Jessica Pegula at the BNP Paribas Open

Jessica Pegula secured an easy victory in the second round of the Charleston Open on Wednesday. In less than 65 minutes, Pegula defeated Anna Blinkova of Russia 6-2, 6-0, dominating with big returns and winning 70% of the points when she returned Blinkova's second serve.

The win marked Pegula's fourth time advancing to the round of 16 in five career main-draw appearances at the event, but she has yet to advance beyond this stage.

Pegula shared that the tournament at the Credit One Tennis Center feels familiar to her since she used to train at the facility when she grew up on Hilton Head Island, about two hours south of Charleston. Her next opponent will be Irina Camelia Begu of Romania, the No.15 seed. Pegula is hoping to advance further in the tournament and secure her first title at the Charleston Open.

The 27-year-old athlete has had a successful season so far, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the semifinals of the Miami Open, as well as the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Pegula's consistent performances have propelled her to the top of the women's tennis rankings, and she is looking to continue her success at the Charleston Open.