Jessica Pegula using US Open final run as Australian Open inspiration
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Jessica Pegula is seeking to win her first Grand Slam title after losing in the US Open final last season.
PHOTO: AFP
ADELAIDE – Jessica Pegula said on Jan 4 that her run to the US Open final last season was still fresh in her mind, and she is using it to drive her towards a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
The American world No. 7 lost in two tough sets to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows before ending her season with an appearance at the WTA Finals.
“It’s funny how it feels like so long ago, but also feels like last week at the same time,” she said of the US Open, ahead of starting her 2025 campaign as top seed at the Adelaide International this week.
“Tennis is weird like that. It’s definitely a motivation for me to want to do well this year and keep going for my goals and everything that I’ve set out for myself this year.
“It’s still a nice, fresh memory I feel in my mind. Hopefully it stays that way I think, to keep the motivation going.”
The 30-year-old leads the women’s Adelaide field ahead of compatriot and world No. 8 Emma Navarro, with two-time finalist Daria Kasatkina seeded third.
Paula Badosa is also playing, as is holder Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated Kasatkina in the last edition. Two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini and teenage talent Mirra Andreeva pulled out, citing a need to rest before the Australian Open.
The top four seeds – Pegula, Navarro, Kasatkina and Danielle Collins – will receive first-round byes.
The likes of Tommy Paul, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda headline the men’s field.
Pegula delayed the start of her season by a week, pulling out of the Brisbane International to deal with a knee problem which bothered her at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
But she said “all was well” and she was ready to go.
“It’s nice to be here in Adelaide. Off-season was pretty good, I was kind of battling a little bit of a knee injury that I withdrew in Saudi with,” she added.
“So, I felt like it went well, but I just needed kind of little bit of an extra week. That’s why I opted out of playing Brisbane, starting here instead.
“The tournament here, the draw is really, really tough, so I think it will be good to test how my body’s feeling. Excited to definitely play some matches before going into the Australian Open.”
Pegula won the Toronto Masters last August prior to her US Open run and also said that her current lack of court time would not affect her Melbourne Park chances.
“I won Toronto without many matches behind me, I got hot there and did well,” she said. “I like being match-tough but I can also do well without a lot of practice.”
Pegula was knocked out in the 2024 Australian Open second round after three consecutive quarter-final appearances.
The Adelaide International gets under way on Jan 6, with the Australian Open starting on Jan 12. AFP