Jessica Pegula Triumphs at Bad Homburg Open Before Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON — Following her early exit at the Berlin Open, Jessica Pegula faced a tough choice to participate in a tournament just before a Grand Slam. This decision proved fruitful, as she clinched the title at the Bad Homburg Open, overcoming Iga Swiatek in the final match with scores of 6-4, 7-5. Pegula’s journey included victories over strong competitors like No. 9 Emma Navarro and No. 30 Linda Noskova.

Less than a day later, Pegula found herself addressing a crowd of over a dozen reporters at Wimbledon’s advanced media center. “Quick turnaround for me,” she remarked, adding, “I just arrived last night, so I don’t feel entirely settled yet. I hope to have one more day to get adjusted.”

The No. 3 seed is set to face Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her opening match on Tuesday. Known for her insightful responses, Pegula engaged reporters on various subjects.

Winning on Different Surfaces

Reporter: “You’re the first WTA player this year to win titles on three surfaces. How does that boost your confidence for Wimbledon?”

Pegula responded, “I hadn’t considered that until I saw the stats. It’s an interesting fact that might enhance my confidence, but right now it’s all about grass. I aim to have a good week ahead.”

Open Competition

Reporter: “With dominant players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka not winning here, does it feel like a more open tournament?”

Pegula noted, “This has been the trend for several years now. Grass can be unpredictable. Small shifts in momentum can change everything—sometimes a single let cord can decide the match.”

Emotional Aftermath of Losses

Reporter: “After Sabalenka’s reaction to her Roland Garros final loss, how do you handle emotions after defeats?”

Pegula mentioned, “I think I’m somewhat lucky in that I don’t experience extreme emotions. It’s normal for athletes to feel frustration after a loss. I even broke my water bottle in the hallway after my loss in Paris—things happen.”

Facing Swiatek

Reporter: “What was it like playing against Swiatek in the final?”

Pegula commented on Swiatek’s impressive footwork on grass and noted, “Her serving was formidable, and it made for a high-quality match. We both played well and exchanged some exciting points.”

The Importance of Serving on Grass

Reporter: “How crucial is serving on grass compared to other surfaces?”

Pegula emphasized, “Serves are incredibly critical on grass. The surface behaves differently, making it more difficult for returners. Although the surface has slowed down over the years, it remains challenging to break serves.”

Reflections on Men’s Roland Garros Final

Reporter: “What were your thoughts on the men’s final at Roland Garros?”

Pegula shared, “I tuned in halfway through that marathon match. It was shocking to see Carlos Alcaraz save match points and come back. Having just lost myself, it reminded me of how tough tennis can be.”