Coco Gauff Playfully Calls Out Jessica Pegula Ahead of WTA 1000 Dubai
Coco Gauff didn’t hold back when she jokingly called out Jessica Pegula for ghosting her text messages, interrupting her fellow American’s media duties to brand her “fake.”
Gauff and Pegula, close friends and former doubles partners, are both competing at this week’s WTA 1000 event in Dubai. Before beginning their singles campaigns, they had to fulfill their media obligations—an opportunity Gauff seized to confront Pegula for ignoring their plans.
In a lighthearted moment caught on camera, the world No. 3 approached Pegula while she was filming and playfully accused her of dodging messages.
“You never responded to my text!” Gauff exclaimed, catching Pegula off guard. The world No. 5 froze before laughing as Gauff continued her playful rant.
“This girl invited me to the movies. I said, ‘Let me know when you want to go,’ and she never responded,” Gauff explained. “So she’s fake!”
Pegula, clearly amused, giggled and admitted, “I just got called out on social media,” before Gauff apologized to the interviewer for the interruption.
But the 20-year-old wasn’t done. “You’re fake. F-A-K-E, fake,” she teased, while Pegula tried to figure out whether she should restart her video or roll with the unexpected cameo.
The WTA later shared the hilarious moment, which Gauff reposted with further proof of Pegula’s delayed response. “She texted me on Friday and it is now Sunday and still no response… smh @jpegula gonna go watch the movie by myself now.”
Gauff stayed true to her word, sharing a snap of herself at the cinema a day later. “lol @jpegula I made it without you,” she wrote, revealing she had gone to see Captain America: Brave New World.
She also offered a review of the film, defending it against critics. “Over-hated movie!! This was good. One of the best Marvel movies in the post-Endgame era. Y’all some haters fr,” she wrote.
Pegula later tried to redeem herself, posting a screenshot of their text exchange. Gauff had messaged, “Yeah, I’m down to go either today or tomorrow! Sunday I have a later hit so I can’t then unless we go midday but just lmk.”
Pegula hadn’t responded—until after Gauff’s solo movie outing. “How was the movie?” she finally texted.
Both players will begin their Dubai campaigns in the second round after receiving byes. Gauff will face either McCartney Kessler or in-form Amanda Anisimova, while Pegula takes on Liudmila Samsonova.
