Jessica Pegula Steps into the Gaming World with Call of Duty: Mobile

Jessica Pegula, the world No. 4 ranked WTA player, has ventured into the world of gaming. She is now part of Call of Duty: Mobile’s “Make it Mythic” campaign. In this campaign, she is depicted as a mythic version of Sophia, a popular character from the game.

Pegula has teamed up with Activision Blizzard for this project. She appears in promotional videos as a transformed Sophia, a character well-loved by Call of Duty fans.

Being a long-time enthusiast of the Call of Duty franchise, Pegula mentioned that this collaboration felt very natural to her.

“I like to get involved in things that genuinely interest me and that I feel passionate about. This way, I can be authentic,” she explained. “Video game collaborations are quite new in women’s tennis, so I was curious to explore entering this different realm.”

“Gaming is my way to relax and unwind. I often play with my brothers, friends, and husband. I started playing even more during the COVID lockdowns when there was more free time,” Pegula shared. “I’m a big fan of the game.”

This campaign coincides with Pegula’s successful run in tennis. Earlier in March, she secured her first title of the season at the ATX Open in Austin. She also began her Miami Open campaign with a victory over Bernarda Pera.

Pegula’s journey with Call of Duty began on consoles and transitioned to mobile gaming, particularly because the PS5 is not very travel-friendly.

“I used to travel with my PS4,” she said. “The PS4 was convenient for travel because it was light and slim. However, the PS5 is bulkier and less practical to carry around. That’s what led me to mobile gaming.”

This partnership is Pegula’s first with a video game company. According to Activision, this collaboration happened after they confirmed her significant playtime in Call of Duty. The promotional video, created using CGI and green screen, was a novel and enjoyable experience for Pegula.

“I find it funny that I become a blonde in the game,” Pegula commented. “Sophia transforms into a blonde when she reaches mythic status. I haven’t reached Mythic Sophia myself in the game, but it was fun to become her for the first time in the campaign.”

Pegula mentioned that her enthusiasm for gaming has unexpectedly sparked conversations in the tennis locker room.

“It’s been amusing to see how many players are actually into gaming but keep it quiet,” Pegula noted. “I’m not sure if there’s a perception in the tennis world that gaming is nerdy or strange.”

“Several players have approached me after this campaign and exclaimed, ‘Oh my gosh, you play too? I love playing with my boyfriend and friends, it’s so much fun!’ It has really opened up a new dimension within the tennis community. I would definitely love to participate in similar campaigns in the future.”