American tennis has a rich history of producing champions, ranging from legendary figures like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Chris Evert to the dominant Williams sisters, showcasing consistent excellence across generations. The current generation, featuring Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Taylor Fritz, is now tasked with carrying forward this esteemed legacy. When discussing the greatest of all time, Pegula offers a definitive perspective.
During a conversation with reporters at the 2023 Women’s Tennis Association Finals in Cancun, Pegula expressed her unequivocal stance on Serena Williams. “Again, comparing to Serena is a substantial feat. I do not think anyone is like Serena. I think Serena is her own person. I think she is the Greatest Of All Time, or whatever you want to say,” she articulated. “I do not think it is possible to fill those shoes, probably ever,” she further emphasized.
Pegula also addressed Coco Gauff’s prospective role in the future of American tennis, following Williams’ retirement in 2022. “I think Coco is the present and the future. I think she still has a long way to grow and get better in the sport. As long as she is healthy and she is competing, she is going to be battling for titles for many more years to come. Much more years than me,” she explained.
Serena Williams’ credentials as the Greatest Of All Time are supported by her remarkable records. She secured twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any female player in the Open Era. Only Novak Djokovic, with twenty-four, has won more. Her dominance extended beyond the majors, as she spent three hundred nineteen weeks as world number one, including a streak of one hundred eighty-six consecutive weeks, matching Steffi Graf’s record.
Her achievements in doubles are equally impressive. Alongside Venus Williams, she won fourteen Grand Slam doubles titles and secured three Olympic gold medals in the discipline. She also claimed an Olympic gold medal in singles, making her the only tennis player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both categories. In total, she won seventy-three Women’s Tennis Association singles titles, including five Women’s Tennis Association Finals trophies.
Pegula has established herself as one of the most consistent players on tour in recent years. She reached a career-high ranking of world number three in singles in two thousand twenty-two and became the top-ranked doubles player in two thousand twenty-three. She has won seven singles and seven doubles titles on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, including three Women’s Tennis Association one thousand singles titles and two in doubles.
Her best results in Grand Slams include a singles final appearance at the two thousand twenty-four United States Open and a doubles final at the two thousand twenty-two French Open, where she partnered with Gauff. In mixed doubles, she reached the two thousand twenty-three United States Open final with Austin Krajicek.
