Pegula: "You can't judge a tennis player's career solely based on whether she has won a Grand Slam"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 11 May 2026 | 08.59

Jessica Pegula, importance of Grand Slams. Photo: gettyimages

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Jessica Pegula signed one of the most emphatic victories of the season at the WTA 1000 Rome 2026 by crushing Rebeka Masarova 6-0 and 6-0 to advance to the round of 16. The American acknowledged in a press conference that she couldn't even recall the last time she had strung together three consecutive sets without dropping a single game and explained how she managed to maintain focus despite the exceptional scoreline.

Beyond the resounding triumph, Jessica Pegula shared interesting reflections on the pressure that exists in tennis around Grand Slams, the importance of consistency, her evolution as a player, and the constant need to keep improving even when established among the circuit's elite.

Here is what Pegula said in Rome about a tennis player's life

An unusual victory even for her

"Have I ever won three sets in a row 6-0? I thought you guys would know the answer. I have no idea. I can't even remember the last time I double-bageled someone."

"I think I started playing very well, and breaking her serve so quickly was important because she has a pretty powerful service. That surely took a lot of momentum away from her right from the start. Additionally, I managed to save two games where I was down 40-0, and I think that changed the momentum of the match a lot because I prevented her from getting into the set."

"I felt like I played every point very smartly. I executed my strategy quickly, neutralized her serve right away, and then just played solid from the baseline."

The mental challenge of closing out a double bagel

"When you win the first set 6-0, you immediately think about not relaxing because things can change very quickly. Sometimes the other player frees herself, goes to the bathroom, thinks it can't get any worse, and starts playing better. That's why these situations don't happen so often."

"I was constantly thinking about winning one more game, then another one, and not giving her any chance. On clay, you can never leave anything to chance because suddenly there are a couple of bad bounces, a double fault, the opponent gets into rhythm, and the break comes back quickly. Here in Rome, I've seen many matches like that."

"At one point, she smiled at me at the net and said, 'That was cruel.' It made me chuckle when I processed it. But if you ask any player on the circuit, they would all accept a victory like that."

Tennis' obsession with Grand Slams

"I think many people judge careers solely by Grand Slams. For someone who doesn't follow tennis too much, winning one already means you had an incredible career. But more avid fans often think the opposite and say, 'They only won one Grand Slam and nothing more'."

"There is also the other side, players who perhaps never won a Grand Slam but had impressive careers, won many tournaments, and were super consistent. I think there are many gray areas."

"Of course, I want to win a Grand Slam, but I also think I wouldn't like it to be an isolated event. I don't want to feel that I just had two incredible weeks and then vanished. I'd like it to be part of a solid and consistent career."

"There are players who won a Grand Slam and then had a lot of trouble handling all that pressure. Especially when you achieve it at a very young age, that must be really tough."

The constant motivation to keep improving

"My daily motivation is always to try to be a better player. My coach and I always joke that all this is still practice. He's over fifty years old and still goes out on the court trying to improve."

"After playing the US Open final, two weeks later, I was in China fighting to win matches and thinking again about how to improve. You're not constantly thinking that you just played a Grand Slam final. You're thinking about how to survive the next match."

"The circuit doesn't allow you to stay too long celebrating anything. It's important to appreciate the good results, but you also have to turn the page quickly because the following week it all starts again."

The details that separate the top players

"I've worked a lot on my serve because I think right now it's one of the keys in women's tennis. You see young players with a great serve, and that gives them a huge advantage. We are in a time with many great servers. Maybe not at Serena's level, but you have players like Rybakina or Sabalenka dominating with that weapon and winning many tournaments."

"When you're a top player and win many matches, the danger is getting too comfortable. That's why you always try to improve small details. They are very subtle things that maybe a regular fan doesn't notice, but you perceive when you train or play against the best. I always want to maintain that mindset of not settling and continue seeking small improvements that can help me in important moments."

The balance outside of tennis

"My best reward is coming home and not doing absolutely anything. Literally lying on the couch for three days straight. I also love spending time with my family and friends because they support me throughout the year while I'm traveling and competing. When I return home, they feel my results almost as if they were theirs, and that makes everything special."

"It's a shame I can't watch Buffalo Sabres games live because I love hockey, and the playoffs are amazing. I'd give anything to be watching one of those games right now."

With a devastating victory and increasing confidence on clay, Jessica Pegula continues to establish herself as one of the most consistent and dangerous players on the women's circuit. The American not only aims to fight for major titles but also to build a career marked by consistency, constant evolution, and the ability to always stay among the best in the world.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula: "No se puede juzgar la carrera de una tenista solo por si ha ganado o no un Grand Slam"