THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 11, 2023

Jessica Pegula

Press Conference

M. VONDROUSOVA/J. Pegula

6-4, 2-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Jessica Pegula.

Jessica, your initial thoughts on today's match.

JESSICA PEGULA: Yeah, sucks to lose that way, having the lead in the third. I don't know what else to say, to be honest, so... That's it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Did you feel at any point the fates were conspiring against you? Your opponent said that the roof closing came at a very good time for her.

JESSICA PEGULA: It was, like, the perfect time. But still I held and I had a break point for 5-1, as well. I feel like maybe it slowed the court down a little bit. It was a little more bouncy, which I think she liked.

At the same time, like, yeah, she was probably in her mind, It's one break. It definitely changed momentum because I totally had the momentum going to serve that 4-1 game.

I still had chances with the roof closed. She played solid. She literally didn't miss for, like, the next five games, whatever it was.

Q. Six quarterfinals. Is there a piece of the jigsaw missing?

JESSICA PEGULA: I don't know. What do you think? I don't know.

Q. Do you know if there's one thing maybe missing?

JESSICA PEGULA: I have no idea. I don't know. I was one game away today almost. I don't really know what the answer is.

I keep putting myself in good positions, but I guess it's not enough. I mean, I guess I was closer today. I really don't know.

Q. Will you decompress with a sport's psych or go through the mental side of it?

JESSICA PEGULA: I'm sure at some point.

Q. When you lose a singles match and then have to play a doubles match, it must be a hard dynamic to get yourself up for that, or can you block out what just happened?

JESSICA PEGULA: Usually I'm pretty good at it. We just got killed today. That team played really well. It was a really tough match. Windy conditions.

But, yeah, it's always tough mentally to get yourself up for the next match, especially when it's only a couple hours later, especially a match like that. That was very heartbreaking.

I actually still thought I played okay. We had our chances. It was just kind of a tough match. Also I think we're kind of used to it, as well.

Q. Can I ask you about Christopher, as well. He's playing tomorrow in the singles. What have you made of his run, the fact that he plays tennis with a smile on his face?

JESSICA PEGULA: He told me that he was just, like, going to have fun and go for it, stuff like that. Clearly that's worked for him. That's great.

No, he's had an amazing run. Obviously Miami Open was big. Being able to get himself into, like, main draws of slams I think is so big. Especially for the guys, not having to test yourself in quallies is huge.

Yeah, he's got a big game. I'm really happy for him. He seems to really be enjoying it. I saw he's hit like the most winners of anyone since I don't know when, 20 years ago, 30 years ago to get to the quarters. That's pretty cool. It just shows you that he's playing free and he's going for it.

Q. Did you smash your racquet in anger?

JESSICA PEGULA: I don't know.

Q. Is it a carryover from the...

JESSICA PEGULA: I mean, it obviously was in anger. Do you think I smashed it because I was happy (smiling)? I was pissed I got broken. We lost the game. It was 2-5. Yeah, then she held.

Yeah, we had chances and it was just a frustrating match.

Q. Having come off the singles match and lost it, do you carry that through to your doubles, that sense of frustration?

JESSICA PEGULA: I mean, I'm sure there was some lingering. I don't think all my frustration is out from the singles. It was probably both, I guess.

Q. What will you do now? Play hard courts? Are you going to go home first? What tournaments and stuff?

JESSICA PEGULA: I'm going to play D.C., Montreal, Cincinnati, US Open. So I'm going to go home, get ready for hard courts.

Q. Obviously come to the grass court season without that much experience on the surface. Do you think you'll be able to eventually, maybe not now, reflect on the progress you've made?

JESSICA PEGULA: No, definitely. A year ago when I came here, I didn't have any warm-up. My mom basically almost died. I think a year coming around to make quarters, to see that she's able to watch my match was a huge success for myself and for my family.

Looking at the positives, it feels like way longer than a year, but it's only been a year. To look at the positive side, yes, that's something I'm very proud of, was able to build on momentum.

Yeah, hopefully my grass court prowess will be better next year (smiling). I definitely feel much more comfortable on it. I feel like I've gotten through a lot of hurdles on this surface.

Q. You said you keep putting yourself in these positions. Do you think maybe it's just a case of keep on doing it?

JESSICA PEGULA: It's better than not putting myself in those positions, which I have to keep reminding myself, even when I don't really want to listen to the good side of things.

Yeah, I mean, I'll just keep working. There's not like a clear answer for everything, right, to prove that's going to make me say, Yes, for sure if I do this, I'm going to win a Grand Slam, make semis, make finals, whatever it is. There's nothing like that.

I just have to keep telling myself to put myself in good positions, keep getting better and working on things.

Q. What is it like to face Marketa, what she brings to the court with the loopy forehand, left-hander?

JESSICA PEGULA: Yeah, I don't think I won, like, one point that she dropshotted me on. I felt like I was getting there, then I would just lose the point every single time unless she missed one. I was like, Oh, my gosh, somehow make sure she doesn't dropshot.

She's very tricky. I've watched her play a lot. I've played her in doubles. Obviously she had a great run going to the French Open finals.

She's just tricky. She doesn't give you a lot of rhythm. Obviously the lefty serve. I thought she was serving well. Seemed like a high percentage of first serves. I think she was getting more free points than I was.

Yeah, she's tricky. Her composure is very much like the same all the time. You don't really know if she's bothered or fired up or negative. Yeah, it's kind of her style. I mean, I like it. I think she's pretty calm, just goes out there and tries to play her game, but very crafty.

Q. What do you make of Svitolina's run and what does she symbolize to other tennis players that you can have a child and return to professional tennis?

JESSICA PEGULA: It's amazing what she's done. It's such an incredible story. Obviously her being Ukrainian, having a baby, coming back, beating Iga. There's so many dynamics. Yeah, it's crazy to think that she's done that.

But I feel like she's been competing so well. It seems like she has a lot of fire and competitive spirit in her, whether it's for whatever reason. But it seems like she's really rejuvenated after having a baby and taking some time off.

I remember playing her at the end before she was pregnant and stuff. It seemed like maybe she kind of lost her spark. I feel like she came back ready to go and wanting to prove something.

So, yeah, even before the French, she won Strasbourg, had a great run there. I feel like she likes the grass. It's been an amazing story.

Watching her play, you can see it on her face, how much she wants it. I think that's really cool.