Pegula: "When you play a Grand Slam, it is obligatory to overcome difficult matches"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 5 Jul 2026 | 19.12

Pegula: "When you play a Grand Slam, it is mandatory to overcome tough matches." Photo: Gettyimages

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While all the attention is on Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, or Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula continues her journey quietly, advancing through the rounds until she reaches the quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2026. The American, ranked number four in the WTA rankings, is experiencing a resurgence at 32 years old. After defeating Iva Jovic in the Wimbledon round of 16, her name is starting to be considered as a possible champion.

She praised her 18-year-old compatriot during the press conference following her victory. She not only lauded the young player but also mentioned her resilience in turning around matches where she initially falls behind.

Jessica Pegula shares her feelings after defeating Iva Jovic at Wimbledon 2026

"It was a very tough match today. Yes, I'm happy to advance. Happy to overcome that match. Maybe it's not fun in the moment to win a three-set match, but I feel like when you play a Grand Slam, it's mandatory to get through tough matches. I'm really pleased with how I managed to turn it around today."

"It's a good testament to my problem-solving and competitiveness, that I can turn matches around. Sometimes it just takes me a second to get going. It's not something I always want to do, but I think it's nice to have that reputation that, even when someone is beating me, it's definitely not over. I like that being associated, maybe, with my mindset."

Pegula reveals the key to her comeback against Jovic

"I had to start serving well. She's a great returner. I needed not only to have a good serving day, but a bad serving day wasn't going to be enough to win the match, that's for sure. I'm pleased with how I could readjust and not panic too much, just reset myself. Regarding the first set, we had a lot of breaks. Still, I was returning well. I just told myself that I needed to increase the first serve percentage, get some free points with the first serve, quick points. Change the pace."

Jessica Pegula is once again in the last 8⃣ of a Grand Slam! pic.twitter.com/i0rUPgiSKZ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 5, 2026

"We played fairly similarly, both absorbing the pace well. I just felt like I was getting into a ping-pong type of match with her. I wasn't serving well, so I ended up losing the set. This is not how I'm going to win the match. I need to step up. There were very tight games at the end of the second and third set. That's where I really committed to having a lot of energy, to move forward, to be aggressive when necessary. Luckily, it worked."

Pegula showers Jovic with praise

"She's a great player. I've played her three times, on three different surfaces, which is a bit unusual. She's very good on all surfaces. I don't think there's one where I felt she was not as good or much better. I feel her level was pretty much the same. Her backhand was very good on grass. The way she's able to absorb and redirect the ball is very good. From what I've noticed, her mindset is excellent. She's very solid. I don't see her losing many matches."

"Her groundstrokes are really high now. But she's newer on the tour. There will be a lot of ups and downs for her. Also physically, probably compared to last year, I would say. I didn't play her, but watching her, practicing with her, she has definitely strengthened a lot. She has definitely grown with her body. She has gained a lot of muscle. Her ball has much more weight than when I practiced with her a year ago," says Jessica Pegula who aims to surprise at this Wimbledon 2026.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula: "Cuando juegas un Grand Slam es obligatorio superar partidos difíciles"

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