Female American tennis players have stepped it up a notch over the last year, with several players now occupying the top 10 of the WTA Tour.
There are currently three female American tennis stars in the top 10, with Coco Gauff the current highest at world number three.
Two American women won Grand Slams last year, with Gauff lifting the Roland Garros title and Madison Keys earning her first major at the Australian Open.
With American tennis as strong as ever, Jessica Pegula has confirmed her thoughts on the current state of tennis in the United States.
Jessica Pegula is happy with the United States’ progress on the WTA Tour
Pegula looks to be the next in line to win a major tournament, particularly after a strong start to the 2026 season.
The American claimed yet another WTA 1000 event at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which put her back in the top five.
Pegula believes the strength in depth for the United States has urged her own to continue breaking new ground in the sport.
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Speaking to the Charleston Open, Pegula said: “Our depth in the U.S. is pretty crazy right now. I feel like every time I go deep, there’s multiple Americans that are there. It’s been incredible.
“I’m glad that I’ve been able to be a part of this era of all these girls doing really well in the States. I know it’s definitely motivated me to see them do well. It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing group.”
Pegula has been delighted to see the next generation making a name for themselves too, most notably Iva Jovic.
She explained: “There’s a lot of young ones like Iva that are coming up, whom I’m way older than, which is really depressing. [Laughs.] I’m glad I’m able to inspire and show that next generation that’s coming up.”
Jovic enjoyed a breakout year in 2025, which brought her maiden WTA title, and she reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open at the start of 2026.
Jessica Pegula is getting close to that Grand Slam
Pegula has been a late bloomer on the WTA Tour and she’s come mightily close to claiming her first major crown.
The star reached the US Open final on home soil in 2024, but she lost in straight sets to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
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Pegula is yet to reach another Grand Slam final, but she has come incredibly close. Just recently, the star crashed out of the Australian Open semi-final.
The American feels as if she is on the cusp of capturing that maiden major, but time is unfortunately not on her side.
At 32, Pegula could have less than 10 more chances to win a Grand Slam for the very first time in her career.
