Kim Clijsters thinks Jessica Pegula has entered a new stage of her career that gives her an edge

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Jessica Pegula won her second title of the season at the Charleston Open last week.

The American had already won the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, as she continues to impress on the WTA Tour.

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World number five, Pegula, was made to work hard for her second title of the year, though, winning her first four matches in a deciding third set.

During the latest episode of ‘Love All‘, Kim Clijsters delivered her verdict on Pegula’s Charleston Open campaign.

Kim Clijsters thinks Jessica Pegula’s experience gave her the edge in Charleston

“She had to work hard for it,” said Clijsters.

“I think she was on court for five matches, but over 11 hours; her finals were the easiest match out of all.

Jessica Pegula’s match time in Charleston

• Total time on court – 11 hours, 22 minutes

“She played in the first four rounds, close three-setters.

“But really good for her, after a long hard-court season, Indian Wells and Miami, it’s intense, there’s a lot going on, that she was able to physically and mentally stay really committed to playing well there.”

Clijsters continued, suggesting that Pegula’s experience is starting to pay dividends.

“Also, really excited to see, although she was the first seed… You get to a point in your career where experience starts making a difference, and I definitely think that she’s also reached that point,” she said.

“In big moments, even if she’s not feeling her best on a different surface yet, knowing when to hit certain shots, knowing when to maybe back off a bit, not go for the winners too early, wait for your opponents to make the mistakes, experience can definitely have a big impact at certain stages of your career.

“And I definitely think she can benefit from that once in a while.”

Pegula has made a fine start to 2026, and currently sits third in the ‘Live WTA Race’.

There is certainly an argument to suggest that experience helps, as two of the top five players, Pegula and Elina Svitolina, are over 30.

Live WTA Race

Pegula will be looking to close the gap to Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka over the coming months, although she won’t be joining them at their next WTA event…

Jessica Pegula won’t play the Stuttgart Open

The 32-year-old is one of two players ranked inside the top 10 (with Amanda Anisimova), not scheduled to appear at next week’s Stuttgart Open.

Top eight seeds in Stuttgart

• 1. Aryna Sabalenka – World number one
• 2. Elena Rybakina – World number two
• 3. Coco Gauff – World number three
• 4. Iga Swiatek – World number four
• 5. Elina Svitolina – World number seven
• 6. Jasmine Paolini – World number eight
• 7. Mirra Andreeva – World number 10
• 8. Karolina Muchova – World number 12

Instead, she will return in Spain for the Madrid Open.

Pegula is a former finalist in Madrid, but suffered a shock third-round defeat last year.

The American beat Eva Lys in her opener before losing to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima.

Jessica Pegula’s Madrid Open record

Only time will tell if she can perform better in 2026.

This year’s Madrid Open begins on April 21.