Jessica Pegula has become one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour.
Described as a late bloomer, the American began to climb the rankings and establish herself among the game’s elite in her late twenties.
Jessica Pegula has since made a Grand Slam final, reached a career-high ranking of number two, and claimed nine WTA titles.
The first of those came back in 2019 in none other than the United States’ capital of Washington D.C.
How Jessica Pegula felt when she won her first WTA title in 2019
Pegula is at the Citi Open, where she is the highest ranked player this season.
She is striving for her second title in Washington D.C., six years after winning her very first WTA title at the same event.
During her pre-tournament press conference, Pegula reflected on her first WTA title and how it made her feel as she moved forward in her career.
“For me, getting that monkey off my back, being able to do it at a tour level for the first time, was great,” Pegula told reporters.
“That was such a big mountain for me to climb at the time, and now I’m sitting here and I have won, I don’t know, eight or nine or whatever it is, and doubles titles, as well.
“It’s kind of funny how things can seem far away, but once you do them it becomes easier, it’s less of a mountain to get over.”
Who did Jessica Pegula beat to win the 2019 Washington Open title?
Pegula won five matches on the way to securing her first career WTA title in Washington back in 2019.
She commenced her campaign by taking on Kateřina Siniaková, who is no slouch on the singles court despite her success in doubles.
Pegula claimed a 6-4, 6-3 victory before coming from a set down to defeat 18-year-old Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals.
Pegula, who was unseeded in this tournament, defeated compatriot Lauren Davis 6-2, 7-6 to set up a contest with Anna Kalinskaya.
The 2024 US Open runner-up defeated the Ukrainian in three sets to reach the final, where she overcame Camila Giorgi to lift her first title.
In 2025, Pegula will start her quest for glory in Washington D.C. once again when she takes on Leylah Fernandez in her opening match.
