Jessica Pegula cemented her status as one of the best hard-court players on the planet after winning the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday
Pegula, the world number five, defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 – securing her fourth WTA 1000 title and a first title since the 2025 Bad Homburg Open.
Pegula has now won all four of her WTA 1000 titles on hard courts. In fact, seven of Pegula’s 10 titles have come on hard courts.
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Following victory in Dubai, Pegula sat down with the WTA and explained why she is prolific on the surface.
Jessica Pegula explains her hard-court prowess
Speaking to the WTA, Pegula said: “I take the ball very early. Hard court, I like the footing on hard. I like that there’s no bad bounces, things that can go wrong.
“There’s a very true bounce, so I can get into a good rhythm pretty easily. I hit pretty hard, deep and flat, so I think my ball kind of skids through the court.
“When I can find my rhythm on a hard court, that’s when I start playing my best tennis. I think tonight, even last night [against Anisimova] I found it at the end and was able to carry it into today.
“I was taking the ball early, hitting my forehand really well, taking away time and changing direction.”
Pegula is undoubtedly one of the four best hard-court players on the WTA Tour alongside Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova.
Pegula has often been labelled as a ‘counterpuncher.’ However, this tag does her a disservice.
Pegula is much more than a counterpuncher; she is an excellent all-around player who is capable of producing her own power – whether that be on serve or her groundstrokes.
This argument was illustrated throughout her match against Svitolina, as captured by the Tennis Channel.
Rick Macci calls Pegula an ‘unreal role model’
Rick Macci, who is credited with the early tennis development of the Williams sisters, reflected on Pegula’s Dubai triumph in a post on X [formerly Twitter].
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“Jessica Pegula loves the competition and is all about the competition. Great work ethic, great attitude [and] still improving at age 32.
“Unreal role model for a billion reasons for every junior with wealthy parents.”
Pegula will now head to the ATX Open, where she is the top seed. Pegula is defending 250 points at the event after winning the 2025 title.
“I think Americans love feeling patriotic, pushing each other, and always want the American players to be the best,” Pegula said about the US women’s presence on tour after beating McCartney Kessler in the final.
“We do an amazing job of supporting each other, and it’s been really fun,” Pegula told the ATX Open. “When you grow up practicing with these girls, living near each other, and seeing them succeed, you think, ‘I practice with her all the time. I beat her in practice… I can do the same thing.’”
Iva Jovic and Venus Williams are also scheduled to compete at the event. Williams, 45, was given a wildcard for the event.
