Jessica Pegula Makes Devastating Announcement About Her Pet Dog: ‘My heart is filled with sadness’
Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3 tennis star, shared a heartbreaking announcement on May 22, 2025, revealing the sudden loss of her beloved dog Tucker, just two years after the passing of her German shepherd Dexter in July 2023. In an emotional Instagram post, Pegula wrote, “Just a few days ago we very suddenly lost Tucker. I’m so sad and honestly at a loss for words. Having both Dexter and Tucker gone now in such a short amount of time feels wrong in so many ways. Miss you and love you so much buddy. RIP 🤍 🕊️.” The post, accompanied by photos of Tucker, resonated deeply with fans and players, with @theWAGproject commenting, “im so sorry jess 🥺 loosing a pet is the worst 💔,” and @PriscillaPilon offering, “So sorry for the loss of your beloved animals. They can be our best friends without uttering a word.”
Pegula’s bond with her dogs has been a cornerstone of her personal life, often shared through social media and public appearances. Tucker, a chocolate Labrador, and Dexter were integral to her journey, with Pegula dedicating her 2023 Canadian Open title to Dexter, saying, “This one’s for you Dex, thanks for looking out for me down here.” Her love for pets extends to her nonprofit, A Lending Paw, co-founded with her husband Taylor Gahagen, which trains rescue dogs as service animals. Pegula’s partnership with Maev, a premium dog food brand, announced in February 2025, reflects her commitment to pet health, inspired by Dexter’s health struggles.
The loss comes at a challenging time as Pegula prepares for the 2025 French Open, where she’s seeded third after a strong clay season, including titles at the ATX and Charleston Opens. Despite her grief, Pegula’s resilience, honed by personal and professional setbacks like her 2024 US Open final loss, will be tested in Paris. The tennis community, including Coco Gauff and Caroline Wozniacki, who supported her after Dexter’s passing, is likely to rally around her again.
