Jessica Pegula reached the US Open quarterfinals after beating retiring Romanian veteran Sorana Cîrstea in straight sets. However, it was Pegula’s response to a fan on social media that caught attention this weekend. After being left out of a discussion about the ‘future of American women’s tennis,’ Pegula had a witty reply.
Jessica Pegula Has a Perfect Response to Fan Dismissing Her After US Open 4R Win
The social media exchange began after The Tennis Letter shared a clip of Pegula’s on-court interview following her fourth-round win.
The World No. 3 had only praises for the 36-year-old who played her final Grand Slam.
“I think she’s such a great competitor and the utmost professional,” Pegula said during her post-match interview. “I know it seemed somewhat straightforward, but that was a battle. It was definitely really intense.”
While many fans praised her words for showing respect to Cirstea, one user used them to comment on the future of American women’s tennis.
“After watching a number of American women competing this weekend, I’m convinced that Coco Gauff and Iva Jovic are the future of U.S. women’s tennis – not Jess ‘Mommy’ Pegula….🙄,” the fan wrote, comparing the 32-year-old with the younger Gauff and Jovic.
Pegula responded with her usual down-to-earth humor, pointing out the obvious. “why would I be the future of tennis, I’m 32 😂.”
Jessica Pegula after beating Sorana Cirstea at the U.S. Open
“I have a lot of respect for her. She’s such a great competitor. Kind of the utmost professional I feel like. I’ve known her for quite a while. We actually hadn’t played in a while up until the last few weeks. They… pic.twitter.com/CjsukJDuKR
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 7, 2026
why would I be the future of tennis, I’m 32 😂
— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) September 7, 2026
One of the tour’s most consistent players, Pegula has already shown why New York has been a strong stage for her. A finalist in 2024, the World No. 3 is also no stranger to finishing seasons better, having reached several finals after the US Open in recent years.
She also arrived in New York with plenty of confidence despite falling to Gauff once again, nearly a month after the Wimbledon quarterfinal, this time in straight sets in the Cincinnati Open final.
That form has continued at the US Open, with Pegula now having more wins than any other player on tour this season. Her victory over Cîrstea was her 49th win of 2026. She has also won two titles this year, in Dubai and Charleston, while finishing runner-up in Berlin, Washington, and Cincinnati. She was also a semifinalist at the Australian Open.
Pegula will now face compatriot and No. 26 seed Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals as she looks to win her maiden major title, and doing so at her home Grand Slam would make it even more special.”
