Holding the crystal trophy after her Charleston victory, Jessica Pegula expressed her gratitude to the tournament organizers, staff, and fans.
She then paused, sharing an emotional reflection. Pegula recounted her formative years at the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina, highlighting it as the place where she honed her clay court skills at the former Family Circle Cup venue. She also mentioned spending time training on Daniel Island in her early twenties.
Pegula conveyed that winning the Charleston title, following a demanding stretch in Miami, felt truly special.
This victory marked Pegula`s first clay-court title at 31, highlighting a full-circle journey in her career. Her win against Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 7-5, capped off an impressive run for Pegula.
Despite facing a 5-1 deficit in the second set and feeling physically drained after weeks of competition, Pegula rallied. She fought off set points, held serve, and then remarkably won the next six games, securing the match victory.
Starting her winning streak in Miami on March 21st, Pegula reached the final, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. However, she remained committed to playing in Charleston, a tournament close to her heart. Her victory over Kenin was her tenth win in eleven matches within just seventeen days.
As a result, Pegula ascended to become the top-ranked American player, surpassing Coco Gauff to reach World No. 3. Her 25 match wins this year lead all other female players.
Pegula recalled starting tennis at Smith Stearns around age seven and spending over five years there before moving to Florida.
She emphasized the foundational role of Smith Stearns in developing her technique, which she now recognizes as a significant strength. She credited Billy Stearns for instilling strong fundamentals at a young age, contributing to her admired stroke technique. Pegula cherished her childhood memories in Hilton Head and the Low Country, where she dedicated herself to tennis.
Winning the Charleston title felt like a meaningful homecoming for Pegula, given her history and connection to the region.
Reflecting on key moments, Pegula discussed overcoming the 5-1 deficit in the second set by focusing on holding serve to shift momentum. She acknowledged that this game proved crucial in her comeback.
Regarding her time in Hilton Head, Pegula shared how Hall of Famer Stan Smith contributed to her serve development, focusing on technique and toss. She noted the continued support from both Smith and Billy Stearns, who regularly encourage her. Smith`s praise for her perseverance, even after watching her matches, is something she values. She appreciates their ongoing relationship, especially seeing Smith at major tournaments.
When asked about her recent success of winning 10 of 11 matches in 17 days, Pegula admitted some surprise but attributed her confidence to her strong finish in the previous year. She realized her capacity to sustain high performance over consecutive weeks, adapt to different conditions, and maintain mental toughness.
Looking ahead to the Billie Jean King Cup in Bratislava, Slovakia, Pegula confirmed her plans to participate. She expressed enthusiasm for team competition and intended to approach the upcoming weeks with a slightly more relaxed attitude, aiming to enjoy the team environment and secure wins without excessive pressure.
Rupert Caldwell