Jessica Pegula has just commenced a very important section of her season.
The 31-year-old thrives during the North American hard court swing and she proved that in 2024.
In successive tournaments Pegula successfully defended the Canadian Open title, before finishing runner-up in Cincinnati and the US Open, losing to Aryna Sabalenka on both occasions.
It remains to be seen if Pegula can come close to replicating those results this season, or perhaps even emulate them.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images for ITFLindsay Davenport thinks Jessica Pegula is not thinking about losing ranking points ahead of the US Open
Due to her success in Canada, Cincinnati and the US Open a year ago, Jessica Pegula has almost 3000 ranking points to defend at these tournaments in 2025.
Pegula is aiming to become a three-time Canadian Open winner, and she is still searching for her first Grand Slam title.
These three tournaments are crucial as should Pegula suffer some early exits, she could lose plenty of ranking points and drop down the WTA rankings as a result.
However, Lindsay Davenport does not believe this is a concern for the world number four, instead prioritising playing consistently good tennis.
“Hot take, I don’t think she is worried about it,” the American told the TC Live podcast. “I think she is worried about her performance and winning matches. Not ranking points.
“At her stage of her career I think it’s more important that she plays the style of tennis she wants to play. Not stress about her ranking and try and make moves again at the majors.”
Co-host Jon Wertheim added: “I totally agree. I just don’t think she thinks in those terms.
“It’s about maximising tennis and I don’t think this is a player who is chasing points or worrying about falling from five, to eight to 10.”
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesJessica Pegula starts Canadian Open title defence with a victory
Pegula has made a solid start to her North American hard court swing by starting the Canadian Open with a win.
She entered this tournament following successive defeats in her opening matches at Wimbledon and the Citi Open in Washington D.C.
Pegula faced a tricky opening test against Maria Sakkari, who returned to form by reaching the Citi Open quarterfinals.
Pegula claimed a 6-4, 7-5 victory to reach the next round and she will face Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova in her next match.