Tennis star Jessica Pegula is now part of the gaming world. She is participating in the Call of Duty: Mobile “Make it Mythic” campaign and is featured as a mythical version of a popular game character.
Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in the WTA, is working with Activision Blizzard for this project. She appears in promotional videos as Sophia, a popular character from the game, in a transformed mythical form.
Pegula mentioned that she has been a fan of Call of Duty for a long time, so this partnership felt like a good match.
Pegula explained that she prefers to engage in activities she genuinely enjoys and is passionate about, allowing her to be authentic. She also noted that this kind of video game collaboration is new in women’s tennis and she was interested in exploring this different area.
Pegula said she often plays video games with family and friends to relax. She started playing more during the COVID pandemic when there was more free time. She emphasized her enthusiasm for the game.
This collaboration coincides with a successful period in Pegula’s tennis career. She recently won the ATX Open in Austin, her first title this season. She also won her first match at the Miami Open against Bernarda Pera.
Pegula started playing Call of Duty on consoles and then switched to mobile gaming, mainly because the PS5 is too bulky to travel with.
Pegula mentioned she used to travel with her PS4 because it was easy to pack. The PS5’s size and shape made it less convenient, leading her to play the mobile version of the game.
This is Pegula’s first partnership with a video game company. Activision stated they collaborated with her after confirming her extensive playtime in the game. The advertisement, created using CGI and green screen, was a new and fun experience for Pegula.
Pegula joked about her character becoming blonde in the mythical version. She admitted she hasn’t unlocked Mythic Sophia herself in the game, but enjoyed becoming her for the campaign.
Pegula shared that her passion for gaming has initiated more discussions among fellow tennis players than she anticipated.
Pegula found it amusing to discover many players are secretly interested in gaming. She wondered if there’s a perception in tennis that gaming is considered nerdy or strange.
Pegula said many female tennis players approached her after the announcement, expressing their shared interest in gaming. They said they enjoy playing with partners and friends, viewing it as a fun activity. This experience has made Pegula keen to participate in similar campaigns in the future.
Rupert Caldwell