‘Stuffy, Uppity Kind Of Sport’: Jessica Pegula Backs Novak Djokovic’s Suggestion To Make Tennis ‘More Fun’

Jessica Pegula has voiced her support for Novak Djokovic’s suggestion to make tennis “more fun,” aligning with his perspective that the sport can sometimes feel a bit too formal and traditional. Djokovic, known for his open-minded approach to the evolution of tennis, has been vocal about wanting to make the sport more engaging for both players and fans. His ideas include embracing new formats, allowing more on-court expressions, and encouraging a more relaxed atmosphere during matches.

Pegula, who is ranked among the top players, echoed Djokovic’s sentiments during an interview, agreeing that tennis can sometimes come across as “stuffy” and “uppity.” She expressed that adding elements to make the game more accessible and entertaining could help attract a broader audience.

“I agree with Novak that tennis can be seen as a stuffy, uppity kind of sport at times,” Pegula said. “I think we need to make the atmosphere a little more relaxed and fun for both the players and the fans. Whether that’s allowing more player interactions, having different formats, or even just making the overall experience more lively—it could help bring more people into the game.”

She emphasized that while tradition is important in tennis, there’s room to evolve. “Of course, there are things about tennis that we should respect and keep, but I think Novak has a point. We need to balance tradition with innovation. If we can make the sport more enjoyable without losing its integrity, then why not try something new?”

Djokovic’s call for modernization and Pegula’s backing of the idea could spark more conversations among tennis players and organizers, potentially leading to changes aimed at shaking up the sport’s image and appealing to younger generations of fans.