“It’s So Tough” – Jessica Pegula Gets Candid on Tennis’ Relentless Grind and the Mental Battle to Stay Present

Jessica Pegula Opens Up on Tennis’ Grueling Grind Ahead of Miami Open Final

Tennis is often seen as a glamorous sport filled with travel, trophies, and prestige. However, behind the scenes, it demands an emotional and physical toll that few truly understand. Renowned sports psychologist Katie Mobed, a Performance Psychologist & Culture Coach, highlights this reality, calling professional tennis one of the most emotionally challenging sports. According to Mobed, the extensive travel and time away from home can be a form of “mental torture,” a sentiment echoed by many top players.

Fresh off securing her place in the 2025 Miami Open final, Jessica Pegula has shed light on the relentless demands of the sport. Pegula, who claimed the Canadian Open title last year, previously discussed the difficulties of transitioning between different surfaces and tournaments. However, this time, she emphasized the monotony of the tour and the pressure of constantly defending ranking points.

The Road to the Miami Open Final

Pegula’s journey to the final has been anything but easy. She battled through three grueling three-set matches against Alexandra Eala, Emma Raducanu, and Anna Kalinskaya. Now, she faces her toughest challenge yet—a clash against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Speaking about the relentless nature of the sport, Pegula said in her post-match interview:

“Yeah, I mean, it’s so tough. I’m exhausted, and I haven’t even won the tournament yet. Next week, I’ll be in Charleston, doing the same thing, and it’s forgotten. Same thing. I feel like I was just here a couple of weeks ago. We’re already back in Miami, and next year, it will be the same thing. Then you’re freaking out because you’re defending points, and you have to worry about that.”

Pegula acknowledges that while the wins are rewarding, they are often short-lived in the never-ending cycle of professional tennis.

“Tennis is so tough on the mental side. The wins are amazing, but there’s always another week, and sometimes they can be forgotten. I’m trying to work on enjoying the good weeks and good wins—staying in the present moment. Because when I look back, those are the moments I’ll remember.”

Can Pegula Overcome Sabalenka’s Dominance?

Aryna Sabalenka has had the upper hand in their recent meetings, defeating Pegula in straight sets in the Cincinnati Open and the US Open finals. As Pegula prepares for yet another showdown, the key question remains: Can she finally break Sabalenka’s dominance?

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has already reached her fourth final of the season. She started strong with a title win in Brisbane but fell short in Melbourne and Indian Wells. Now, she has another shot at glory in Miami.

Reflecting on her past battles with Sabalenka, Pegula admitted:

“I think she’s just a little bit better than me, results-wise. Winning Australia, winning the US Open, beating me in Cincinnati and the US Open. It’s going to be tough. Hopefully, I can get the better of her here. That would be awesome. But I’m also really proud that I can put myself up there with one of the best hardcourt players in the world. Making another WTA 1000 final is huge.”

Sabalenka, on the other hand, believes that mental toughness will be the decisive factor in their upcoming match.

“We’ve had a lot of tough matches against each other. It’s always a great battle. Cincinnati was a great level for me, but maybe not so much for her. And then the US Open final was just a crazy match. She fought really hard in that second set. I think it’s all about the mental side of the game. Maybe, in some moments, I’ve been a bit tougher than her. But you can’t just rely on that—you have to bring that mental toughness every time.”

What’s at Stake?

This marks Pegula’s third final of the season. A win here would not only secure her a coveted WTA 1000 title but also elevate her above Coco Gauff as the new World No. 3. The stakes are high, and the battle between Pegula and Sabalenka promises to be one of the most exciting finals in recent history.

Will Jessica Pegula finally overcome Aryna Sabalenka’s dominance, or will mental toughness once again prove to be the deciding factor? The stage is set for an epic showdown in Miami.