Follow us on Google Discover Jessica Pegula has returned to WTA Tour action at the Wuhan Open, where she committed to singles and doubles.
But Pegula is already out of the Wuhan Open doubles event, having lost her opener alongside fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Pegula has risen to sixth in the world rankings, and she represents the sixth seed at the WTA 1000 tournament.
She meets compatriot Hailey Baptiste in her opening match, having just lost in the semifinals of the China Open.
Linda Noskova defeated Pegula in Beijing, where the American had previously knocked out fellow seeded players Emma Navarro, Emma Raducanu and Marta Kostyuk.
Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty ImagesTracy Austin says what has ‘hurt’ Jessica Pegula in the 2025 season
Pegula now continues to build towards a place in the WTA Finals Riyadh, for which she currently occupies fifth place in qualifying.
Sharing what she’s liked about Pegula’s season so far, former world number one Tracy Austin said on Tennis Channel: “Just so consistent and winning on the three different surfaces really shows so much about how her game can translate to every part.
“She’s so well-rounded. What’s hurt Jess this year is she hasn’t had as great a success in all of the majors.
“She did get to the semifinals at the US Open, but usually by this time in the last few years she’s already qualified.
“I’m predicting that after Wuhan Jess is going to get through. And I think it would be nice for some of these players, [Mirra] Andreeva as well, to be able to qualify after Wuhan.
“It’s been such a long year. Have a couple of weeks off before the WTA Finals. But I think also the surface is good for Jess. It’s kind of quick, stays low, good for her hard flat.”
Pam Shriver left ‘dumbstruck’ by current tennis calendar
Pegula does find herself under pressure to qualify for the WTA Finals, particularly given the efforts of many compatriots in that regard.
Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys have all qualified for Riyadh, along with Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
Titles3Win-loss46-18Australian OpenThird roundFrench OpenFourth roundWimbledonFirst roundUS OpenSemifinalJessica Pegula 2025 stats
Pegula will have the luxury of resting if she does manage to qualify after Wuhan, with Pam Shriver discussing that potential scenario.
“I think it’s one of the biggest changes from a few decades ago, is how much more international the travel is,” said the former doubles world number one.
“Having helped Donna Vekic for two and a half years, I was just dumbstruck by how much travel… I mean we used to have two or three huge legs a year, and now they’re going zig-zagging all over the world. And you have to manage the schedule, or else you’re going to get burned out, physically and mentally.”
Physical and mental burnout have been common themes at recent tournaments, with Jannik Sinner suffering from cramp at the Shanghai Masters, leading to his withdrawal.
His ATP rival Carlos Alcaraz decided to skip Shanghai altogether, while Daria Kasatkina has ended her season early after reaching “breaking point”.