By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, May 28, 2023
Jessica Pegula is simply high quality not being thought-about a part of the brand new, but, unofficial “Big 3” within the WTA.
That’s even when, sarcastically, she’s at present ranked World No. 3.
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Pegula loved a comparatively easy 6-4, 6-2 opening spherical win over fellow American Danielle Collins as the primary night session drew to a detailed at Roland Garros.
Later, in her press convention, Pegula was requested about her ideas and emotions of not being thought-about a part of the brand new perceived “Big 3” within the ladies’s recreation that features No. 1 seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek, No. 2 seed and Australian Open champion Arnya Sabalenka, and No. 4 seed and reigning Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina.
Goodnight Paris ✨ 🌙 @rolandgarros 📷 Julien Crosnier / FFT pic.twitter.com/Xle1ejScFQ
— Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) May 28, 2023
Pegula took the query in stride and revealed that she actually does not dwell on the dialog an excessive amount of.
“No, I’m not part of it (laughing), but hopefully one day I will be. Hopefully this year,” Pegula mentioned. “They’ve earned that right. They’ve been playing really solid tennis. Iga, we already know from last year. Aryna I felt like broke through in Australia as far as like winning a slam, but I think her results have always been up there. Then Elena at the end of last year as well.
“I imply, to see them being so constant, I feel they’ve earned that proper. Obviously ranking-wise I’m nonetheless three, however I’m positive that might change. I may go up or down, no matter. It will depend on outcomes.
“But, yeah, I think they’ve earned that title, and I think it’s nice to see three girls dominating. Hopefully I can be part of that conversation, but I think either way it’s still great for women’s tennis. Especially because everyone always talks about the inconsistency and all this stuff.
“I simply are inclined to assume it is as a result of we’ve got a whole lot of actually nice depth. It’s good to see them, yeah, taking part in actually, actually good tennis, and I really feel prefer it’s good for the game as effectively.”
The top American is hoping for a strong Roland Garros after mixed results leading into the second major of the year. After reaching the semis in Charleston and the quarters in Madrid, Pegula bowed out in the opening round of Rome to Taylor Townsend.
“I feel Rome was robust. Yeah, I had a bit little bit of a nagging harm in Madrid and Rome. Then the two-week match,” Pegula said. “Then I obtained meals poisoning final week. There’s been a whole lot of obstacles, I really feel like, the final couple of weeks particularly which have been actually robust bodily after which taking their toll mentally due to that.
Pegula added “Yeah, I’m happy that I was able to kind of shift my perspective at least today and be able to play really great tennis. Hopefully now that I have two days off I can kind of take that into the next match.”
She will subsequent face Italy’s Camila Giorgi within the second spherical.
Photo Source: Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA
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