Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3 and top-ranked American tennis player, is known for her love of dogs, who have been by her side through career highs and emotional lows. After winning the 2023 National Bank Open in Montreal, Pegula honored her late German shepherd, Dexter, crediting him for watching over her during the title run. “His favorite thing was tennis,” she wrote.</p>
<p>This year, Pegula celebrated her Charleston Open victory—her first on clay—with her mini Australian shepherd, Maddie, joining her on stage for the trophy ceremony. The win propelled her to a career-high No. 3 and the top American spot. “The love from dogs is unreal,” Pegula said from Stuttgart, kicking off her red-clay season. “They don’t judge; they just listen and love you back, helping me appreciate small moments at home.”
<p>Pegula’s passion for dogs inspired her to found A Lending Paw, a charity supporting dog rescue and rehabilitation. Recently, she became a spokesperson for Maev, a brand offering human-grade raw dog food, motivated by Dexter’s health struggles. “I love that Maev is human-grade—I could eat it if I wanted,” she says. The food helps her dogs’ weight and energy, simplifying care routines.</p>
<p>On the court, Pegula is in top form. After an early Australian Open exit, she went 17-2 in March, winning titles in Austin and Charleston and reaching the Miami Open final, surpassing Coco Gauff as the top American. Her success stems from her unique coaching setup with “The Marks”—Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein—who alternate traveling with her. “At first, it was about getting comfortable,” Pegula says. “Now, their different perspectives keep things fresh.”
<p>Despite her rise, Pegula faces a familiar challenge: Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the top two players, have consistently blocked her path, with Pegula holding a 6-13 record against them. Recent final losses to Sabalenka at the US Open, Cincinnati, and Miami highlight the gap. “Playing them a lot means I’m going deep in tournaments,” Pegula says. “That’s the challenge of being the best.”</p>
<p>Clay, not her natural surface, has pushed Pegula to adapt. Her Charleston win, Madrid final, and Roland Garros quarterfinal show progress. “Clay challenges me to change things, but I love it,” she says. “I’ve added tools to my game and can’t wait to use them this swing.”</p>
<p>At 31, Pegula, a late bloomer who didn’t reach the Top 10 until 28, remains grounded. She jokes about being a “slow-twitch” athlete compared to Swiatek’s “fast-twitch” style and sees her consistent No. 3 ranking as a sign of progress. With three Grand Slams ahead and only two players above her, 2025 could be her shot at the top.</p
