Clutching the crystal trophy, Jessica Pegula expressed her gratitude to the Charleston Open organizers and enthusiastic fans. She then paused, sharing heartfelt memories of her tennis journey.
“I grew up in Hilton Head, South Carolina, at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy,” Pegula shared, her voice filled with emotion. “I learned to play tennis there on clay, where the old Family Circle Cup was held. Later, in my early 20s, I spent a couple of years training here on Daniel Island.”
“Winning the title this week, after the Miami Open, is truly incredible,” she added.
Indeed, this victory was significant. Pegula, the top seed, secured her first career clay-court title at the age of 31 in a full-circle moment.
Her 6-3, 7-5 victory over Sofia Kenin marked the culmination of an amazing performance. Pegula faced a tough situation, trailing 5-1 in the second set. However, she rallied, winning the next six games and the final ten points of the match.
Starting her winning streak back on March 21 in Miami, Pegula reached the final there before heading to Charleston. Her victory over Kenin was her 10th win in 11 matches over just 17 days.
This success elevates Pegula to the highest-ranked American player, surpassing Coco Gauff at No. 3. Her 25 match wins this year are the most among all women players.
Pegula reminisced about her early years at Smith Stearns, starting around age seven and training there for over five years. She credits Billy Stearns for instilling excellent technique in her strokes, which she now sees as a major advantage.
“That’s where I learned to play tennis technically,” Pegula explained. “Everyone praises my technique and strokes. Billy Stearns taught me the fundamentals at a young age, which was crucial.”
“Growing up in Hilton Head, playing tennis in the Low Country was a wonderful time in my childhood. Returning to Charleston and winning the title is very special.”
Reflecting on the second set comeback, Pegula mentioned her focus was to hold serve at 5-1 down to shift the momentum. She also acknowledged Stan Smith`s influence on her serve technique during her time at Smith Stearns. Both Smith and Stearns continue to support her, with Smith recently praising her perseverance.
Pegula feels confident after her strong performances, recognizing her ability to maintain a high level over consecutive weeks, adapting to different conditions.
Looking ahead, Pegula plans to join the Billie Jean King Cup team in Bratislava, Slovakia. She is excited about team competition and intends to enjoy a slightly more relaxed approach in the coming weeks.
