The clay courts of Charleston, South Carolina, were alive with triumph as Jessica Pegula hoisted the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open trophy, her victory sending ripples of excitement through the tennis community. The world No. 3 delivered a masterclass in the final, outclassing Sofia Kenin in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, to claim her second title of the season. As the dust settled on the green clay, Pegula’s peers, including American stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys, took to social media to shower her with praise, their heartfelt reactions painting a picture of camaraderie and respect among the tight-knit U.S. tennis contingent.
Pegula’s path to the Charleston crown was a testament to her relentless consistency. Facing a formidable Kenin, who hadn’t dropped a set en route to the final, Pegula showcased her trademark precision and poise. The first set was a tight affair, with both players trading blows until Pegula edged ahead to seal it 7-5. From there, she found another gear, dominating the second set 6-2 with a blend of powerful groundstrokes and tactical finesse. For Pegula, the win carried extra weight—Charleston is practically home turf. “I grew up in Hilton Head, South Carolina, going to Smith Stearns Tennis Academy,” she reflected after the match, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Learned how to play tennis there on the green clay… To be able to come here this week after a long two weeks in Miami and take the title is just incredible.” Her emotional connection to the region, where she honed her craft in her youth, made the victory a full-circle moment.
Across the digital landscape, Gauff and Keys wasted no time celebrating their compatriot’s achievement. Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and world No. 4, posted a series of clap emojis on Instagram, a simple yet powerful gesture that spoke volumes about her admiration for Pegula’s grit. The 21-year-old, who opted for family time before kicking off her clay season in Stuttgart, has long shared a close bond with Pegula, forged through their successful doubles partnership that includes five titles. Their friendship, rooted in mutual respect, shone through in Gauff’s understated but enthusiastic reaction, a nod to Pegula’s ability to shine under pressure.
Keys, the Australian Open champion and world No. 5, was equally effusive. Fresh off her own strong start in Charleston, where she dispatched Caroline Dolehide in the second round, Keys shared the WTA’s post about Pegula’s victory on her Instagram story, adding a trophy emoji and two exclamation points that captured her awe. “We love to see it!!!! Much deserved in every way possible,” Keys had previously written about another American’s triumph, and her reaction to Pegula echoed that same spirit of support. At 30, Keys is no stranger to the highs and lows of the tour, and her gesture underscored the deep sense of unity among the American women, who’ve collectively elevated U.S. tennis to new heights in 2025.
Pegula’s Charleston triumph wasn’t just a personal milestone—it marked a shift in the American pecking order. Her victory propelled her past Gauff in the WTA rankings, reclaiming the title of U.S. No. 1 and cementing her status as one of the tour’s most dependable performers. “It’s really special winning in a place that means so much to me,” Pegula shared on Instagram, alongside a carousel of photos featuring her trophy and her dog, Maddie, who seemed to revel in the moment as much as her owner. The win added 500 ranking points to her tally, narrowing the gap with the world’s top two, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, and fueling speculation about her Grand Slam prospects later this year.
For Gauff and Keys, Pegula’s success is both inspiration and motivation. The trio, alongside other rising stars like Emma Navarro, have made 2025 a banner year for American women’s tennis, with three players in the WTA top five for the first time in over two decades. Their social media reactions to Pegula’s Charleston glory reflect a shared journey—one where individual triumphs lift the collective. As the clay season unfolds, with Roland Garros on the horizon, Pegula’s Charleston masterclass, celebrated by her peers, signals that the American contingent is ready to make waves on the global stage, united by talent, heart, and an unbreakable bond.