Reaching a career-high ranking of world number 7 as of July 2022, Jessica Pegula’s rise up is a result of consistent growth in results and personal bests.
Some may be shocked to hear that Jessica Pegula is the WTA’s world No.7, but those with a little insight would not wince at this fact in the slightest. In truth, this year the 28-year-old has had one of the best seasons of her career so far in terms of improvements and personal records. Pegula’s progress has manifested itself in the form of an all-time high in terms of Grand Slam milestones, ladder rankings, and national recognition.
Improved Grand Slam progress
Jessica Pegula’s quest for her maiden Grand Slam title is still in the works, but her results in major tournaments in recent times may reveal a new chapter to her journey. The American number one has achieved personal best outcomes at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year, reaching the quarterfinals and third round respectively. Moreover, Pegula began the year by reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals for the second time in her career and for the second year in a row.
Indeed, Jessica Pegula has been on a vertical rise since the start of 2022, and her progress in Slams has either matched her past limits or blown past them. In fact, at Roland Garros this year, it took the likes of world No.1 Iga Swiatek to weather down the American’s impressive run. At that time, Swiatek was on a winning streak of over 30 match wins and ultimately went on to win the Slam in Paris. Similarly, Jessica Pegula’s run at the Australian Open was stopped only by the former world number one and eventual champion Ashleigh Barty in the quarterfinals.
Career-high ranking
Needless to say, Jessica Pegula’s results this year have deservedly propelled her to an all-time high ranking of world number 7 on the WTA ladder. She began the year in the Top 20 and has shown consistent tournament results since then as she now knocks on the door of the Top 5. Alongside Danielle Collins and Coco Gauff, Pegula is leading the charge for American tennis and giving the fans plenty to be excited about as we edge closer to the US Open.
As the American number one, Jessica Pegula will be feeling especially patriotic entering this year’s Grand Slam in New York. The 28-year-old has never proceeded past the third round at the event but looks to change that this year with the help of some all-new crowd support. Having made significant improvements in her Grand Slam participation this year, the American will be entering the US Open with a newfound confidence stemming from positive results and local support.
Previous success in Washington
Nothing prepares a player better for a Grand Slam than winning a prior title in front of the home crowd. With the Citi Open underway in Washington, Jessica Pegula enters the event as the number one seed for the first time. Having won the event in 2019 for her first WTA career title, the world No.7 will be looking to repeat that success, this time as the tournament and crowd favorite. Pegula will be taking on Hailey Baptiste in the first round for an all-American clash.
Some notable challenges in Pegula’s way should she go the distance include the second seed Emma Raducanu and the fourth seed Victoria Azarenka. The Citi Open was not held for the last two years by the WTA, and with its return this year Jessica Pegula remains the defending champion of the event.
When she last won the title in 2019, Pegula was ranked well outside of the Top 50 and has been on a steady rise ever since. The American number one will be playing in front of a crowd of her strongest supporters yet as, for the first time in her career, she competes as a Top 10 player in her home country. Now, with an all-new position in the rankings and arguably in the best form of her career, Jessica Pegula has the support of an entire nation behind her as we enter the American season of tennis!
