In the fast-paced world of professional tennis, where schedules are relentless and competition is fierce, Jessica Pegula has made a bold decision to step back from her celebrated doubles partnership with Coco Gauff. The American duo, both former world No. 1s in doubles, have captivated fans with their synergy on the court, clinching five titles together. However, as Pegula prepares for the clay season at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, she has opened up about the “really tough” choice to prioritize her singles career, revealing a strategic shift that could reshape her path to a long-awaited Grand Slam title.
Pegula, now ranked world No. 3 after her recent triumph at the Charleston Open, explained that the grueling WTA calendar forced her to reassess her commitments. “The schedule just gets really, really tough,” she said during a pre-tournament press conference in Stuttgart. “I’ve barely played this year, probably won’t play any of the Grand Slams this year.” This admission underscores the physical and mental toll of balancing singles and doubles at the highest level. Pegula’s decision comes after a season where she reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open, only to fall to Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought match. The experience has fueled her determination to focus on singles, where she believes her best chance at a major title lies.
The partnership with Gauff, which began with a shared ambition to dominate doubles, has been a highlight of Pegula’s career. Their chemistry was undeniable, leading to a string of victories and a rise to the top of the doubles rankings in 2023. Yet, the demanding nature of the tour, with its back-to-back tournaments and limited recovery time, has prompted Pegula to explore new partnerships and reduce her doubles commitments. Since parting ways with Gauff last summer, Pegula has teamed up with players like Ashlyn Krueger, though a recent retirement in a second-round match in Miami highlighted the challenges of adapting to new dynamics. “I don’t think I’m going to play any of the Grand Slams just because the scheduling, it gets really hard,” Pegula elaborated. “I always feel like at the end of the day I’m going to have to pull out or something like that.”
Despite the split, Pegula’s admiration for Gauff remains evident. The 20-year-old Gauff, a 2023 US Open champion, is also focusing on her singles campaign, aiming to kick off her clay season with a strong showing in Stuttgart. The two Americans, drawn in opposite halves of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix draw, could potentially face off later in the tournament, adding an intriguing layer to their evolving narrative. Pegula, seeded third, faces a challenging path with opponents like Mirra Andreeva and Iga Swiatek looming, while Gauff contends with Jasmine Paolini and top seed Sabalenka. Their shared history and competitive spirit promise a compelling subplot to the event.
Pegula’s recent success in Charleston, where she claimed her maiden clay court title, has boosted her confidence as she navigates the clay season. The victory marked her second title of 2025, following the ATX Open in Texas, and propelled her past Gauff in the WTA rankings. Meanwhile, Gauff’s early exit in Dubai and quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open reflect her own efforts to regain momentum. Both players are part of a strong American contingent in Stuttgart, joined by Emma Navarro, as they aim to make history by becoming the first American woman to win the tournament since its move to the Porsche Arena.
As Pegula looks ahead, her focus is clear: a Grand Slam title remains the ultimate goal. Her decision to scale back on doubles reflects a calculated risk, one driven by the belief that conserving energy for singles will yield greater rewards. “I still love playing doubles when I can,” she noted, leaving the door open for occasional appearances with new partners. For now, though, Pegula is charting her own course, determined to capitalize on her recent form and seize the opportunities that lie ahead on the clay courts of Stuttgart and beyond.