“It’s not even the same tournament from my first round”: Jessica Pegula blames conditions for Australian Open shock exit

Jessica Pegula expressed her frustration with the changing conditions at the 2025 Australian Open after her surprising third-round exit to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic. Pegula, the No. 3 seed, was upset in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-1, and afterward voiced her displeasure with how the court surface had evolved since the start of the tournament.

“It’s not even the same tournament from my first-round match,” Pegula said during the post-match press conference. The American star pointed out that the court’s slow conditions played a significant role in her defeat, feeling that they strongly favored her opponent. “The conditions were so slow, slower than a clay court. The balls were heavy, and it totally favored her style of play, especially with her lefty forehand to my backhand.”

Pegula, known for her consistent and aggressive play, struggled to adjust to the sluggish pace of the court, which she said was markedly different from earlier in the tournament. “I don’t know what changed, but it felt like I was playing in a completely different environment than my previous matches,” she added.

Despite the challenging conditions, Pegula gave credit to Danilovic, who played a confident match and made the most of the circumstances. The Serbian advanced to the fourth round after claiming the biggest win of her career.

Pegula’s comments echo the sentiments of other players who have criticized the unpredictable nature of the Melbourne courts in previous years. However, she remains focused on moving forward, while Danilovic continues her impressive run at the Grand Slam event.