However, it\u2019s when she loses that Pegula<\/a> often comes under fire, as fans criticise her for not showing enough passion and energy on the court.<\/p>\n Compared to some of her more \u2018expressive\u2019 rivals, such as Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> and Iga Swiatek, Pegula rarely shows emotion.<\/p>\n Commenting on Pegula\u2019s level-headed nature, her coach, Mark Knowles, explained why the 31-year-old won\u2019t change the way she acts on court despite fan criticism.<\/p>\n Mark Knowles says being outgoing on court just isn\u2019t Jessica Pegula\u2019s personality<\/p>\n Appearing on the Tennis Channel, Knowles shared his thoughts on fans asking Pegula to show more energy.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a fiery competitor inside,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople always ask her to be a little bit more outward, a little bit more outgoing on the court, but that\u2019s just not her personality.<\/p>\n \u201cBut inside, there\u2019s a burning desire to achieve and compete.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowles then shared how he and co-coach Mark Merklein approach practice sessions with Pegula.<\/p>\n \u201cWe try to keep it pretty relaxed, myself and Mark Merklein,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cJohn [Opfer], the fitness trainer, as well. We\u2019re all pretty relaxed, I mean, we\u2019re intense.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have our intense sides because we want to get the best out of Jess [Pegula], but we also have the side where, at the end of the day, it\u2019s a tennis match. We did everything we could as a team.<\/p>\n \u201cYou went out there and executed. We couldn\u2019t be more proud. It\u2019s really a treat for us to work with somebody like Jess.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bahamian also spoke about the relationships Pegula has with other players on tour.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s very balanced. She\u2019s got a wonderful husband in Taylor [Gahagen], great family,\u201d said Knowles.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has got great friends on tour, you see a couple of them are doing The Player\u2019s Box now, their podcast.\u201d<\/p>\n Pegula recently launched \u2018The Player\u2019s Box Podcast\u2019 alongside her fellow Americans, Madison Keys<\/a>, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk.<\/p>\n During the latest episode of the podcast, Pegula reflected on her efforts at the US Open\u2026<\/p>\n How did Jessica Pegula perform at the US Open?<\/p>\n Having finished as runner-up at the US Open in 2024, Pegula returned this year, looking to go all the way.<\/p>\n She made a brilliant start, reaching the semifinals without dropping a single set.<\/p>\n 2025 US Open 1R \u2013 Jessica Pegula defeated Mayar Sherif, 6-0, 6-42025 US Open 2R \u2013 Jessica Pegula defeated Anna Blinkova, 6-1, 6-32025 US Open 3R \u2013 Jessica Pegula defeated Victoria Azarenka, 6-1, 7-52025 US Open 4R \u2013 Jessica Pegula defeated Ann Li, 6-1, 6-22025 US Open QF \u2013 Jessica Pegula defeated Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 6-3<\/p>\n There she met world number one Sabalenka, the woman she lost to in last year\u2019s final.<\/p>\n Playing one of the finest sets of her tennis career, Pegula took the lead 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\n Using all of her Grand Slam experience, Sabalenka fought back in the second, forcing a deciding set.<\/p>\n Unfortunately for the world number seven, despite winning more points than her opponent in the third, she couldn\u2019t get over the line, as Pegula lost to Sabalenka<\/a>, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6.<\/p>\n Pegula was disappointed not to have qualified for her second US Open final, but was pleased with her efforts in New York City.<\/p>\n \u201cPit moment was when I walked off the court on Wednesday [after a tough practice before the US Open] and then we did an escape room and had a couple of drinks,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then it turned into a solid couple of weeks for me, I turned it around somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n Pegula will now turn her attention to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals<\/a>, where the United States will search for a record 19th title.<\/p>\n Most successful teams in Billie Jean King Cup historyRankNationTitlesMost recent title1USA1820172Czechoslovakia\/Czech Republic1120183Australia71974T-4Italy52024T-4Soviet Union\/Russia52020-21T-4Spain51998Nations with five or more Billie Jean King Cup titles<\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2227319490-1024x647.jpg\")
Photo by Robert Prange\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2231209034-1024x648.jpg\")
Photo by Robert Prange\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Aryna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233761500-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images<\/p>\n