“Coco Gauff is getting mad at me” – Jessica Pegula worried after ‘forgetting’ American in her close friends list
During a promotional video for the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open on June 16, Jessica Pegula sparked a lighthearted controversy by omitting close friend Coco Gauff from her list of tour besties, jokingly fretting, “Coco Gauff is getting mad at me,” per Sportskeeda. Asked to name players she’s closest with, Pegula listed Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk, Caroline Dolehide, and Ashlyn Krueger, only to realize her slip-up and laugh, “Oh yeah, Coco, sorry, I forgot her. Don’t put that in there,” per Pro Football Network. The moment, shared on the WTA’s Instagram, drew a humorous jab from Emma Navarro, who commented, “me @jpegula do not get along,” to which Pegula replied, “sworn enemies!!” per Pro Football Network.
Gauff and Pegula’s Banter-Filled Bond
Gauff and Pegula, former doubles partners who won five titles together, including the 2023 Miami Open, share a playful friendship marked by movie night mishaps. Gauff previously called out Pegula at the 2025 French Open for ditching their Thunderbolts plans, learning via their physios that Pegula watched it solo, per Sportskeeda. “She DMed four days ago asking if I’d seen it yet, and I said, ‘No,’ because I was waiting for her!” Gauff teased, vowing, “The next time she asks to go to the movie, the answer is going to be, ‘No,’” per Express. Earlier, at the 2025 Dubai WTA 1000, Gauff interrupted Pegula’s media duties, joking, “You never responded to my text!” about a Captain America: Brave New World outing, per Express.
Fan Reactions and Context
Some fans on X, like @max10mil, called Pegula’s omission a “nasty dig” and “microaggression,” doubting she genuinely forgot Gauff, per @max10mil. Others, like @Frissy8, saw it as harmless, noting, “Not a rule she has to be Coco’s bestie,” per @Frissy8. Gauff, fresh off her 2025 French Open singles title, and Pegula, the Berlin defending champion, maintain a strong bond despite splitting as doubles partners post-2024 Olympics due to singles-focused schedules, per The Tennis Gazette. Their 4–2 head-to-head rivalry, with Pegula leading, remains fierce, but off-court, their friendship thrives on jest, per Motorcycle Sports.
