Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka will soon begin their respective campaigns at the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, but beforehand, they shared a few lighthearted practice mishaps online, which also featured their coaches. Both enter the event as seeded contenders and have therefore received byes into the second round.
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka Share Hilarious Practice Mishaps With Coaches Ahead of Indian Wells Campaign
Sabalenka has not featured extensively this season, but she has made a strong statement in limited appearances. The Belarusian lifted the Brisbane International title after defeating Marta Kostyuk in the final and followed it up with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, where she fell to Elena Rybakina in a three-set showdown.
She opted to skip the WTA 1000 event in Doha due to a scheduling adjustment and later admitted she was not fully fit during her campaign in Dubai.
Pegula arrives in the Californian desert following a string of impressive runs in 2026. The American opened her season with a semifinal finish at the Brisbane International and matched that result at the Australian Open. She then elevated her level further in Dubai, claiming the WTA 1000 title after navigating a challenging draw and defeating Elina Svitolina in the final.
However, just days after lifting the title in Dubai, an unexpected knee issue forced her to withdraw from the ATX Open in Austin, where she was the defending champion after triumphing last year. The setback, though, appears to have been short-lived, as she is now set to return to action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
But before beginning her campaign, the world No. 1 and the world No. 5 took to the practice court with their coach to get accustomed to the conditions at Indian Wells.
However, a lighthearted scare unfolded during their respective sessions. After receiving a feed from the service line, Pegula chased down the ball and struck it with considerable force, inadvertently sending it straight toward her coach’s head. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, tilting his face away just in time to avoid being hit.
The incident was later captured in a clip that a user shared on his Instagram story, tagging Pegula, who later re-shared it, writing, “Whoops lol.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka drew attention to how narrowly her fitness coach, Jason Stacy, avoided a mishap during practice. As part of a drill, Stacy stood with his feet planted wide apart while Sabalenka was tasked with landing her serve between them. The Belarusian executed the challenge with precision, but she was well aware of how risky it could have been. She later reshared the clip on her Instagram story, adding a humorous caption.
“This could have ended very differently,” she wrote.
Sabalenka is guided by head coach Anton Dubrov, who previously served as her hitting partner, alongside long-time fitness trainer Jason Stacy, a trusted presence in her camp. The Belarusian will look to lean on their combined expertise as she navigates her campaign in Indian Wells.
On the other side, Pegula works with Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein. Knowles, a former doubles world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, brings a wealth of elite-level experience, while Merklein, a former doubles specialist, is recognized as a Gator Great in the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.
