Jessica Pegula has played over 750 matches against some of the best players in women’s tennis.
But which player was the most ‘intimidating’?
Pick your most controversial tennis moment of all time!
Plenty to choose from…
During the latest episode of ‘The Player’s Box Podcast‘, Pegula answered that very question.
Jessica Pegula says Victoria Azarenka is the most ‘intimidating’ player on tour
“I was going to say Vika [Azarenka], because Vika is so intense on the court,” said Pegula.
“The first time I hit with her, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I am not good enough.’
“She is so intimidating.
“Her energy when she is out there, when she starts, it’s so intense and so focused.
“It’s great practice, especially if you want to replicate just from start to finish intensity.”
Pegula has played Azarenka seven times on the WTA Tour, and leads their head-to-head 4-3.
Jessica Pegula and Victoria Azarenka’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 US Open – 3R | Jessica Pegula | Victoria Azarenka | 6-1, 7-5 |
| 2024 Charleston Open – QF | Jessica Pegula | Victoria Azarenka | 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 |
| 2023 Australian Open – QF | Victoria Azarenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2022 Guadalajara Open – SF | Jessica Pegula | Victoria Azarenka | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2021 Indian Wells – QF | Victoria Azarenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2021 Berlin Open – QF | Victoria Azarenka | Jessica Pegula | 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 |
| 2021 Australian Open – 1R | Jessica Pegula | Victoria Azarenka | 7-5, 6-4 |
Azarenka may intimidate Pegula, but for the most part, she hasn’t been able to translate that into results.
Pegula continued, explaining what Azarenka is like off the court.
“But off the court she is pretty chill,” she said.
“She always says hi.
“From a really long time, I can remember, she has always said hi to me.
“I remember I won my first tournament in [Washington] DC, and she was like, ‘Congrats on DC.’
“She was playing at the time and doing really well, and I was like, ‘Why does Azarenka know I won a tournament?’
“And I was like, thanks!”
Where is Victoria Azarenka?
Azarenka is a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, but hasn’t been seen on tour in nearly a year.
In fact, she played her last match, against Pegula at the 2025 US Open.
It’s been 249 days since Azarenka played a WTA Tour match, so where is she?
Well, the truth is, nobody really knows.
Azarenka hasn’t posted on social media this year, although in March, she reposted a video highlighting the reasons why players sent a letter to the Grand Slams demanding a fairer share of revenue.
She could be missing time for several different reasons, but while she sits on the sidelines, her ranking continues to drop.
Live WTA Rankings
| Rank | Name | Age | Country | Career-high | Points |
| 207 | Lucie Havlickova | 21 | Czechia | 196th | 343 |
| 208 | Olivia Gadecki | 24 | Australia | 83rd | 342 |
| 209 | Akasha Urhobo | 19 | USA | 209th* | 342 |
| 210 | Anna-Lena Friedsam | 32 | Germany | 45th | 332 |
| 211 | Victoria Azarenka | 36 | Belarus | 1st | 330 |
| 212 | Celine Naef | 20 | Switzerland | 121st | 327 |
| 213 | Maria Carle | 26 | Argentina | 71st | 324 |
| 214 | Irene Burillo | 28 | Spain | 207th | 322 |
| 215 | Vendula Valdmannova | 18 | Czechia | 215th* | 322 |
| 216 | Elena Pridankina | 20 | Russia | 168th | 321 |
The Belarusian currently sits 211th in the Live WTA Rankings, with 330 points to her name.
Victoria Azarenka’s points tally
- 2025 Italian Open – Lost in 2R (35 points)
- 2025 French Open – Lost in 2R (70 points)
- 2025 Bad Homburg Open – Lost in 2R (85 points)
- 2025 Wimbledon – Lost in 1R (10 points)
- 2025 US Open – Lost in 3R (130 points)
- Total – 330 points
Azarenka will drop another 105 points from her tally by the time the clay-court season finishes.
That will likely see her fall out of the world’s top 250.
Only time will tell if and when she will return to tennis, but whatever the future holds for the Belarusian, we wish her all the best.
