Jessica Pegula is the first American since Serena Williams to win 22 WTA 1000 matches in a single season since Serena Williams, who achieved the feat in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
22 – Jessica Pegula is the second American player to win more than 22 WTA-1000 main draw matches in a single season after Serena Williams (in 2013, 2014 and 2015).
Luxurious.@WTA @WTA_insider @WTAGuadalajara #GDLOPENACRON pic.twitter.com/dfHSL9fSpL – OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 24, 2022
Pegula, 28, captured her first WTA 1000 title last week in Guadalajara. In the Guadalajara final, Pegula defeated Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3.
Pegula came close to winning a WTA 1000 event several times earlier this year, but didn’t manage to get one until Guadalajara. Previously, Pegula reached the semifinals of the WTA 1000 in Miami, Toronto and San Diego. Additionally, Pegula finished runner-up at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid in May.
Pegula proud of herself after her latest success
Pegula was constantly making deep runs on the biggest stage, but a WTA 1000 title was missing. But that all changed last week in Guadalajara. «I’m proud of how consistently I was able to manage my emotions throughout the year, through every good result, bad result that I had.
I was always able to reboot very quickly. At the tournament in San Diego, I was mad because I lost [to Iga] and more pissed because she won the tournament. I lost her, I lost to Ash [Barty in Melbourne]I lost with Simona [in Toronto]i lost to caroline [in Cincinnati].
I was like, what’s going on? I lose against everyone in the quarters or semi-finals or in the final against Ons [in Madrid]. This stat has to be a standout stat for the year. So I felt upset and said, ‘I want to win a tournament.’
I think overcoming those constant mental challenges throughout the year is what I’m most proud of. Making it all the way to the end of the year just goes to show that I’ve shown up every week. I’ve been able to deal with it, learn from it and gain experience,» Pegula said on the WTA Insider podcast.
