Jessica Pegula, a name synonymous with grit and determination in the tennis world, has recently revealed an unsettling incident that unfolded during this year’s US Open, one that she described as “gross.” While navigating the high-pressure atmosphere of Flushing Meadows, the American star encountered an unexpected challenge that was far from the tennis court.
After a commendable run to the semifinals, where she dispatched Barbora Krejcikova with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory, Pegula faced a physical setback. As the match progressed, she felt her back tightening, a precursor to the spasms that would soon plague her performance. It was during the critical moments of the first set, at a tense 4-3 score, that Pegula made the unusual decision to take a bathroom break—an infrequent move for her, as she candidly noted she could count such breaks on one hand throughout her career.
“I needed to lay down on the floor for exercises… The bathroom was gross,” Pegula recounted during an appearance on The Player’s Box Podcast. The urgency of her situation pushed her to seek a solution in the least glamorous of settings. Armed with two towels, she entered the restroom, only to be met with an unsatisfactory environment. Undeterred, Pegula laid down the towels and performed core activation exercises in an effort to alleviate her discomfort.
Just days after her gritty performance against Krejcikova, Pegula found herself back on the court, facing top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka. Despite her strong start and the hopes of avenging her previous loss in the 2024 US Open final, she faltered as Sabalenka surged back, clinching the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. This defeat not only meant the end of her title aspirations but also cost her crucial ranking points, causing her to slip from No. 4 to No. 7 in the world.
Pegula’s experience is a testament to the mental and physical challenges athletes face, often unseen by fans. Her candidness about the “gross” bathroom incident not only humanizes her but also sheds light on the lengths to which players will go to maintain their performance under duress. As she continues to navigate the pressures of top-tier tennis, Pegula’s resilience will undoubtedly be tested, but her ability to confront adversity head-on makes her a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
