Jessica Pegula played Serena Williams once, in the final of the 2020 ASB Classic.
The current world number five lost the match, 3-6, 4-6.
Pegula never played Williams again, as the 23-time Grand Slam champion retired from tennis in 2022.
Does Serena Williams win a WTA title or Grand Slam title if she comes back to tennis?
As Williams looks to be nearing a return to tennis in 2026, Pegula has shared why she doesn’t want to play her.
Jessica Pegula says Serena Williams took things to a ‘different level’ when they played
During the latest episode of ‘The Player’s Box Podcast‘, Pegula was asked which player she never wants to face again.
“Serena [Williams],” she said.
“I did not even play her in her prime.
“It was at the Auckland finals, after she had her baby.
“I think it was the only tournament she won after [having a child].
“I remember it being kind of close and then she took it to a different level, and I was like, whoa.
“I do not want any part of this anymore!”
Pegula lost in straight sets to Williams, as the legendary American picked up her 73rd career title.
Jessica Pegula vs Serena Williams – Match stats
| Stats | Jessica Pegula | Serena Williams |
| Aces | 4 | 2 |
| Double faults | 3 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 65% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 62% | 72% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 44% | 61% |
| Break points | 1/5 | 3/15 |
| Points won | 64 | 82 |
And as Pegula rightly mentioned, her only title since giving birth to her daughter, Olympia.
Pegula’s co-host, Madison Keys, agreed, having also tasted defeat against Williams.
“Yeah, it’s another level being on the other side of the net,” she said.
“You think you are hanging, and then all of a sudden you are like I am not hanging!
Madison Keys and Serena Williams’ head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2016 Italian Open – F | Serena Williams | Madison Keys | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2015 US Open – 4R | Serena Williams | Madison Keys | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2015 Australian Open – SF | Serena Williams | Madison Keys | 7-6, 6-2 |
Keys lost all three matches she played against Williams.
While Pegula and Keys would surely love to see Williams make a comeback, they may hope to avoid her in any future draws…
How did Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys perform at the Miami Open?
Williams could return to tennis later this year, but wasn’t back for the Miami Open.
That didn’t help Keys, though.
The 2025 Australian Open champion lost in the third round.
Madison Keys at the 2026 Miami Open
- 2026 Miami Open 2R [WIN] vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-0, 6-3
- 2026 Miami Open 3R [LOSS] vs Qinwen Zheng, 6-4, 2-6, 4-6
Keys lost to the resurgent Qinwen Zheng in three sets.
Pegula, on the other hand, continues to impress, reaching the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
Jessica Pegula at the 2026 Miami Open
- 2026 Miami Open 2R [WIN] vs Francesca Jones, 6-1, 3-0 (RET)
- 2026 Miami Open 3R [WIN] vs Leylah Fernandez, 6-2, 6-2
- 2026 Miami Open 4R [WIN] vs Jaqueline Cristian, 6-4, 6-1
Looking to return to the Miami Open semifinals, Pegula will take on Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
The Australian Open champion narrowly missed out on the Indian Wells title last time around and will be determined to go all the way in Florida.
Rybakina leads Pegula 5-3 in their head-to-head, and has already beaten the American twice this year.
If Pegula can pull off the upset, she will advance to the semis to meet either Aryna Sabalenka or Hailey Baptiste.
Pegula lost to Sabalenka in last year’s Miami Open final, and would love a shot at revenge.
She won’t want to get too far ahead of herself, though, and will now focus on the task at hand.
Pegula will play Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open on Wednesday, March 25.
