Jessica Pegula, currently ranked world No. 4, has emerged as a vocal advocate for mental health awareness on the WTA tour, praising peers like Naomi Osaka, Amanda Anisimova, and Bianca Andreescu for their openness about their struggles. In a recent interview at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal, Pegula addressed the growing threat of online abuse and its impact on players’ mental well-being, highlighting how the courage of these players has sparked significant change in the tennis community. “We’ve seen that with girls like Amanda Anisimova, with Naomi Osaka, with Bianca (Andreescu) that aren’t afraid to say, ‘Hey, I’m…this is too much,’” Pegula said. “If it wasn’t for them, kind of really speaking out about it, I don’t know if we’d have so much changed as we’ve had, right now, but it’s amazing to see.”
The WTA tour’s intense environment—marked by individualistic competition, grueling schedules, and constant scrutiny—has long posed mental health challenges. Social media has amplified these pressures, with players facing hate, racist messages, and even death threats after matches. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has been a trailblazer in this space, candidly sharing her battles with depression since the 2018 US Open. Her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open and Wimbledon to prioritize mental health sparked a broader conversation, emphasizing that mental well-being is as critical as physical health. Similarly, Amanda Anisimova, who took a nine-month hiatus in 2023 due to burnout and mental health struggles, has spoken about the toll of personal tragedy and tour pressures, including her father’s sudden death in 2019. Bianca Andreescu has also advocated for seeking guidance to navigate these challenges.
Pegula, who has enjoyed a strong 2025 season with a 35-14 record and three titles, acknowledged the evolving landscape of professional tennis, where online presence adds a new layer of stress. “So now all of a sudden there’s a whole other element that’s gone into being a pro athlete where you’re online all the time,” she noted. Her comments come as she prepares to defend her Canadian Open title, a tournament she’s won the past two years, including a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 victory over Anisimova in the 2024 Toronto final. Despite recent first-round losses at Wimbledon and Washington D.C., Pegula remains a favorite in Montreal, aiming for a historic three-peat, a feat only Monica Seles has achieved (1995-98).
By lauding her peers’ vulnerability, Pegula underscores a shift toward greater mental health awareness in tennis. Osaka’s social media detox and Anisimova’s selective app use highlight coping strategies, while Pegula’s support signals a collective push for change. As the WTA tour progresses toward the 2025 US Open, Pegula’s message resonates: addressing mental health is vital to sustaining players in an increasingly volatile digital age.
