Jessica Pegula revealed in a light-hearted method that there was no want for her to bribe Coco Gauff to play doubles along with her at Wimbledon as a result of the 20-year-old American was a lady of her phrase.
Since Pegula was injured for just about the complete clay season, she and Gauff did not get an opportunity to play on the French Open and hold their custom of enjoying doubles collectively at Grand Slams. And whereas Pegula was injured, Gauff discovered a alternative and teamed up with one of many greatest doubles names, Katerina Siniakova – they ended up profitable the French Open of their crew debut.
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For Pegula and Gauff, the disappointing factor about not enjoying doubles on the French Open was the truth that it might serve them as an important preparation for the Paris Olympics – the Olympic tennis occasion will happen on the courts of Roland Garros.
However after Gauff gained the French Open with Siniakova, she obtained again to enjoying doubles with Pegula after the 30-year-old American recovered from her damage. And after enjoying in Berlin, the American star duo can be set to compete at Wimbledon.
Pegula requested if she needed to give Gauff any cash to get her away from Siniakova
Showing on Tennis Channel after her Wimbledon singles first-round win over Ashlyn Krueger, Pegula was requested by Martina Navratilova if it was arduous to get Gauff away from Siniakova and if she needed to supply any cash.
“I imply Siniakova, she’s an incredible doubles participant too. I did not even know they have been enjoying till they have been like within the quarters and I used to be like, ‘Oh, I did not even notice,’ as a result of I wasn’t following that a lot at house with the time change so it is humorous. However fortunately I believe I requested her (Gauff for doubles) like earlier than that. I already like had it locked down,” Pegula stated on Tennis Channel.
Navratiova then interjected Pegula a bit by stating that Gauff is somebody who retains her phrase.
“Yeah, yeah. She did yeah. In order that’s good. However hopefully we will possibly get some momentum right here. I do know it isn’t clay however not less than for the Olympics. It is good, clearly her getting a doubles Slam is actually cool after which hopefully you realize we appear to play properly the doubles. So for the Olympics, I believe it will be enjoyable,” Pegula added.
“Kiss, Marry, Kill”: Clay, Grass, or Exhausting?@JPegula didn’t stutter. 😎 (srry clay)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/eDkH60ofKD
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 2, 2024
At this yr’s Wimbledon, Pegula and Gauff are the No. 11 seeds and they’re scheduled to begin their doubles marketing campaign on Thursday by taking up Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska. That would be the first time that the 2 doubles pairs might be clashing in opposition to one another.
Up to now, Pegula and Gauff had three early Wimbledon exits however reached the quarterfinal final yr. And contemplating that Pegula and Gauff are Slam runners-up in doubles and have been among the finest doubles in the previous couple of years once they play, they’re positively among the many contenders for the 2024 Wimbledon doubles title.
Pegula may also crew up with Gauff on the Paris Olympics later this month
For fairly a while, it has been identified that Pegula and Gauff plan to play doubles collectively on the Paris Olympics. And whereas their foremost focus in Paris might be on the singles occasion, they may also have the very best attainable targets within the doubles.
“You do not normally see a variety of gamers enjoying, however for us I believe we get pleasure from it, and we use it as an opportunity to get higher in singles as properly. To us it is type of enjoyable that we get to exit and even when we lose singles or no matter occurs, exit and it is one other probability to compete. It is one other probability the place we need to win,” Pegula stated final summer time.
“When you get on the market and also you’re within the second and also you need to win the match, all of it type of feels the identical. So I believe for us it is extra like further motivation, and I believe it retains us in that aggressive mindset of, ‘OK, we’re nonetheless in these stress moments even when it is doubles, and we nonetheless need to win the match, and we nonetheless need to get higher.’
“I do know she’s [Gauff] advised me she actually desires to win a medal subsequent yr, and he or she actually desires a Slam, in order that’s type of what we’re working in the direction of. I believe it’s a must to play different occasions if these are your targets.”
However for now, Pegula and Gauff’s focus stays on Wimbledon, the place they may attempt to win their first Slam doubles title as a pair.
