Jessica Pegula reveals what some coaches fear, but sees as her biggest strength

Jessica Pegula is into the Indian Wells quarterfinals for just the second time in her career, continuing what’s been a strong stretch of form.

Pegula’s track record at Indian Wells hasn’t always been convincing, with just eight wins in 15 appearances before this week.

But after lifting the trophy in Dubai last month, she’s carried that momentum straight into California.

Pegula has beaten Jelena Ostapenko and Belinda Bencic to reach the Indian Wells quarterfinals, and after beating the latter she spoke about how she has enjoyed the better results of her career in her thirties.

Jessica Pegula focused on making the most of her career

Pegula didn’t break into the top 50 until 2021, just before turning 27, but has steadily climbed the ranks since then.

The American has held a place in the top 10 since June 2022, reaching the US Open final in 2024 and picking up four WTA 1000 titles along the way. Now ranked fifth in the world at age 32, Pegula is also the oldest player inside the WTA top 30.

After her straight-sets win over Bencic to reach another quarterfinal, Pegula spoke about her unusual path to success and how she’s found consistency later than most.

She credited her open-minded approach as a big part of that rise, explaining how she’s willing to make adjustments—even if it means taking risks that not all coaches are comfortable with. For Pegula, it’s about leaving no room for what-ifs down the line.

“Yeah, I think I have said before too, I was so injured for, like, my early 20s that I do feel like in a way I don’t have those years kind of added onto my career,” Pegula said in her post-match press conference. “I wasn’t really on tour playing that much from maybe 20 to 24.

“I had a couple of surgeries, I was rehabbing, I was hurt. So I do feel like not having those years on me maybe is why I don’t necessarily feel old (smiling).

“But I think right now I’m just very open to learning, I’m always very open to trying new things. I think one of the strengths I have as an athlete is probably being able to change something and implement it very quickly.

“I think that’s something too even my coaches now have kind of seen over the last couple years. I was very open to trying to figure things out, how do I get things better, watching other players, watching what players do really well, and trying to implement certain things into my game and seeing if I can do the same thing.

“Sometimes that can be scary for coaches because they don’t want you to make too many changes,” she added. “But I’ve always been able to adapt quickly. Even if fans can’t see it clearly, there are things we’ve tweaked over time.”

“I’m definitely one where I can pick up things very quickly, and we have been able to change some things that aren’t major that maybe the fans or people can’t necessarily exactly pinpoint.

“But it’s definitely stuff we have been working on, and I have been able to implement it into my game over the last couple years really quickly, and not afraid to kind of fail and try different things, whether it’s with my serve or my forehand or my slice or different strategies.

“I think that, in a way, has kept my brain kind of just always working and problem-solving. That’s just how I play my best tennis, that’s how I feel like I’m getting better, that’s how I enjoy playing tennis. I always want to feel like I’m learning and I’m trying things.

“I never want to feel like when I retire that I wish I would have tried this on my serve or this string on, you know, this racquet, or whatever the case may be.

“I think that’s probably my strength as a player and just how I kind of look at, you know, my career and how I’m still improving, even at my age (smiling).”

Jessica Pegula reveals what changed in her game after finally beating Belinda Bencic

Pegula not only seems to have adjusted well to the courts at Indian Wells but also picked up her first win over Bencic.

Before this match, she had lost all four of their previous encounters without taking a set, the most recent coming in 2023.

When asked about the difference this time, Pegula pointed to specific improvements she has made in her game since their last meeting.

“I think I’m a much better player now, but I also think that tactically I definitely changed some stuff,” answered Pegula. “I serve much better now, which helps me out not feeling so much pressure with her returning, because she’s a really good returner.

“I think tactically I don’t want to totally give away what I have been doing, but there was definitely some stuff that I have seen that I’ve gotten better at that I’m able to adapt to in a point that I’m able to just think a little bit clearly and more quicker out there.

“That just, I think, helped me get the win today. It wasn’t anything crazy, but I do feel like there is a certain way and a certain pattern that maybe worked better that I wasn’t thinking about the last few times I played her.”

Pegula will now look to match Maria Sharapova’s record of reaching eight consecutive tournament semifinals as she looks for her first deep run at Indian Wells.

The next challenge is Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who has won their past three meetings and leads their head-to-head 4-3.

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