Pegula teams up with Alcaraz at the US Open: "It's very special, he will recover his level soon"

Pegula expressed her admiration for Alcaraz

"I think I was a little surprised that he didn't play Cincinnati, but that he still played here because of that. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s something tough to do,’ but I think he’s a special player, obviously."

"It can also be a bit different for men, three out of five. I think it gives them a bit more leeway to get into matches, whereas if it’s two out of three, like for women, that’s a bit tougher for me because if you lose the first set and come out a bit rusty, you think, ‘Oh my God, if I don’t win the second set, I’m out’."

"So I think the fact that men have more time with three out of five probably makes me think, well, maybe it makes a bit more sense for him to do that."

"Yeah, he’s a special player. He’s a very charismatic, friendly, and outgoing person. I think he’ll feed off the energy of his opponents, whatever happens. I don’t think he’s forgotten how to play tennis. If he wins his early rounds, he’ll regain his best level very quickly."

Pegula's fascination with the Big 3 documentaries

"I love documentaries. In fact, I haven’t seen his. That reminds me that I need to watch it. I loved Rafa’s. I thought it was amazing and showed so many things that people, athletes like us go through, but also special athletes like them."

"It’s great to know different perspectives about athletes. I think Novak is very different from Roger, and Roger is very different from Rafa. I also find it interesting to see them vulnerable, because they are so different, and I think it shows that you shouldn’t think in just one way, right? There are different mindsets. People play for different reasons."

"I think a big part of it is quite... they are all very different, but I think at the end of the day they have a similar mindset. The question is how they came to that, how they handled it, or what is the driving force behind them."

"That’s why I always find it interesting to know what motivates them. I think it’s something that often goes unnoticed. Of course, we know they are competitive, that they love tennis, that they want to play and that they want to win. But I think what really drives them largely comes from their childhood, from how they started playing at lower levels or from the obstacles they had to overcome. I’m fascinated to see that different perspective, a more personal side of why they do what they do."

Number 1 or Grand Slam: Jessica Pegula's response

The American is among the candidates who can still mathematically aspire to be the world number one at this US Open, although she wanted to temper expectations before explaining which goal would hold special significance for her.

"As I said before, it’s very far away. I would have to achieve many other important things to get there. But I’m glad it’s an option, that it’s there, and I think being in that position is great, especially with the high level we have in women’s tennis."

"I think I would have to win this tournament to be number one, but I think it shows the current level of women’s tennis and how well many of the top players are playing. It’s definitely an extra motivation, and I think it would be something incredible, but I insist, it’s very, very, very far away."

When asked what she would prefer between winning a Grand Slam or reaching number one in the rankings, Pegula did not hesitate to relate both goals.

"Well, I think if I win a major tournament, I will be number one. So I’m just going to say that. I mean, I think so far I’ve been at number 3. I would like to win a major tournament, and I think number 1 will be more within reach if I achieve that. I guess that’s my way of thinking."

"When I was younger, I never said I wanted to go to Wimbledon or win the US Open. I actually wanted to be number one in the world. I place a lot of importance on that because when I was seven, I thought, ‘How cool!’ It was like being the best in the world at something."

"There aren’t many sports where you can say or do that. That’s what I want. I just wanted someone to tell me I was the best in the world at something, more than winning a Grand Slam. So yes, I think I have a small childhood memory tied to that specifically. Maybe even more so than having won a Grand Slam."

It is worth appreciating what Jessica Pegula does on the court, but also how she expresses herself off it, being one of the vocal leaders of the WTA circuit. She has started very strongly in a US Open 2026 where she wants to be a protagonist.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula se moja con Alcaraz en el US Open: "Es muy especial, recuperará su nivel pronto"