Jessica Pegula, the world No. 4 tennis star, has become a beacon of calm and consistency on the WTA Tour, admired for her steady demeanor and relentless work ethic. But as she revealed in a candid conversation on Caroline Garcia’s *Tennis Insider Club* podcast, her poised presence wasn’t always celebrated. Growing up, Pegula faced criticism from those closest to her—parents and coaches—who felt her reserved nature signaled a lack of passion. “When I was growing up, everyone always, and I say everyone is in, my parents or my coaches at the time, like never really liked my attitude,” she shared. “They’d say, you know, you look like you don’t care. Passive kind of thing.” This perception of a “bad attitude” weighed heavily on the young American, who struggled to reconcile her natural temperament with expectations to be more fiery on the court.
Now 31, Pegula finds the contrast amusing. Fans and peers now shower her with praise for the very trait once criticized: her unflappable composure. “It’s funny now people are. I get so many compliments like, oh, you’re so calm and I love your presence on the court,” she said, reflecting on how her teenage years were marked by pressure to conform. “I’m like, it’s so funny ’cause I felt like my whole teenage years I was just being told how to act. What to be, what to do. And I had no idea like what my personality was.” That struggle to define herself led to a pivotal realization: trying to fake intensity drained her energy. “I had no idea what my personality was. Then one day I just thought: I don’t really care. I’m not gonna fake a fist pump. That’s a complete waste of energy to me,” she explained. “Getting super fired up—or even super mad—drains me. Sure, it’s fun to get the crowd going… but then I’m like, oh my god, I’m tired.”
Pegula’s journey to self-acceptance has coincided with her rise to the top echelons of tennis. A late bloomer, she didn’t crack the top 10 until age 28, but her 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency. With a 27-match win total leading the WTA, she’s outpacing even world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Her recent performance at the Cincinnati Open, where she secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, earned her a spot in the Round of 32 against Magda Linette. As last year’s finalist, Pegula is no stranger to success in Cincinnati, where she fell to Sabalenka in a tight 6-3, 7-5 final. Her focus remains on sharpening her game for the upcoming US Open, where she reached the final in 2024, pushing Sabalenka in a thrilling two-setter.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Pegula’s personality has won her a growing fanbase. Her understated style—free of racket smashes or theatrics—stands out in a sport often defined by emotional outbursts. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, once praised her mental strength, saying, “Her mind is the greatest strength of Jess Peg.” Yet, her privileged background as the daughter of billionaire Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, has sometimes made her a less relatable figure. “I think people definitely root more for the underdog, and so I’ve never really felt like people are totally rooting for my story,” she admitted in a 2023 interview. Despite this, Pegula embraces her roots, noting, “I want to connect with my family in that way. I’m not gonna sit there and flaunt everything, but I think it’s just fun.”
Her authenticity shines off the court as well. A self-described homebody, Pegula finds solace in simple moments, like walking her mini Australian shepherd, Maddie, who joined her on the court for photos after her Charleston Open victory earlier this year. “My dogs help bring me back to appreciating the small moments at home, no matter what tough moments I’m facing,” she told reporters. Her decision to prioritize motherhood over a prolonged career further underscores her grounded nature. Married to Taylor Gahagen since 2021, Pegula has set a firm retirement plan: “I think when I have a kid, I’m definitely done,” she said. “I admire the women that do that, but I think whenever I have a kid, I’m definitely done.”
As Pegula prepares for her next challenge in Cincinnati, her story is one of resilience and self-discovery. From a teenager misunderstood for her calm to a top player celebrated for it, she’s forged her own path. Her conversation with Coco Gauff about playing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—where Gauff jokingly insisted, “You can’t retire before then”—highlights her influence on younger players. With nine WTA singles titles, including three WTA 1000 crowns, and a career-high No. 3 ranking, Pegula’s legacy is secure. But it’s her journey to embracing her true self that makes her a standout, proving that sometimes, staying calm is the boldest statement of all.
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