Jessica Pegula’s 2025 US Open campaign may have ended in the semifinals, but her coach Mark Knowles believes the run spoke volumes about her competitive fire. Speaking in a Tennis Channel interview, Knowles reflected on Pegula’s rocky summer and explained how a frustrating practice session in New York turned into a catalyst for her deep run at Flushing Meadows.
How Did Jessica Pegula’s Summer Struggles Shape Her US Open Journey?
Pegula had started her summer on a high by clinching the Bad Homburg title, her third of the 2025 season and one that boosted her confidence heading into Wimbledon. However, her campaign at the All England Club came to an abrupt halt in the first round against Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
The disappointment carried into the rest of the summer swing, as she was unable to replicate her 2024 form, which saw her win the Canadian Open and reach the finals in Cincinnati and the US Open. With points to defend and mounting expectations, the pressure weighed heavily on the American.
Knowles admitted that Pegula struggled at times to manage the challenges of the season. “She had high expectations going into Wimbledon after winning that title in Bad Homburg, her third title of the season, feeling very strong. Unfortunately, she had a tough loss in the opening round, but credit to her opponent. She lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who played terrific tennis,” he said.
The veteran coach added that the summer “wasn’t the summer that Jess expected,” pointing out the burden of defending big results from the previous year. Despite the setbacks, Knowles praised her work ethic and mindset throughout the difficult stretch.
“We were working on a couple of things this summer, myself, Mark Merklein, and the team, trying to add to her game,” he explained. “Ultimately, even though there were big events in the summer and she was defending things, we looked at it as every week being an opportunity. More importantly, there was unfinished business in New York. That was really her goal.”
What Sparked Pegula’s Turnaround Ahead of the US Open?
Knowles revealed that the turning point came during a particularly rough day of practice ahead of the US Open. Pegula became so upset that she walked off the court, an uncharacteristic move for the usually composed American.
“We did have a rough day of practice leading in, which sometimes can actually be good. Sometimes it lets the steam out. But she got it together, and I think it’s a testament to the type of player and competitor that she is,” Knowles said.
That moment of frustration ultimately served as a release valve, allowing Pegula to refocus and channel her energy into her tournament preparation. The result was a dominant run through the singles draw that reminded everyone why she reached the finals at Flushing Meadows the previous year.
In singles, she defeated Mayar Sherif, Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka, Ann Li, and Barbora Krejčíková before falling in three sets to top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. The loss ended her bid to return to the US Open final, but not before she had shown the form that made her one of the most consistent players on tour.
Beyond her singles success, Pegula also made waves in the revamped mixed doubles draw alongside Jack Draper. The duo beat Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in their opening match, then defeated Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva, before bowing out in the semifinals to Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud. Their partnership proved surprisingly effective despite having barely spoken before the tournament began.
