Jessica Pegula, the American tennis star and world No. 6, recently opened up about her decision to step back from playing doubles with her longtime partner, Coco Gauff, marking the end of one of the most dynamic duos in women’s tennis for the foreseeable future. The pair, who soared to the top of the WTA doubles rankings and captured five titles together, have chosen to prioritize their singles careers following a disappointing outcome at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Pegula’s candid remarks shed light on a mutual decision driven by strategic focus and the grueling demands of the professional tour, offering fans a glimpse into the evolving priorities of two of America’s brightest tennis talents.
Pegula and Gauff’s partnership was a force to be reckoned with, blending Gauff’s explosive athleticism with Pegula’s steady precision. Since teaming up in 2021, they achieved remarkable success, including WTA 1000 titles in Doha, Toronto, and Miami, and a runner-up finish at the 2022 French Open. Their chemistry, both on and off the court, made them fan favorites, with moments of levity—like Gauff accidentally drilling a serve into Pegula’s back during a 2023 Montreal match—highlighting their camaraderie. Yet, the intensity of competing in both singles and doubles week after week took its toll. “For me, I’m not sure,” Pegula said, reflecting on her doubles future. “I know Coco doesn’t really, isn’t interested in playing, or at least I’m not, we’re not thinking of playing, so I probably will take it easy on the doubles the rest of the year.”
The turning point came at the Paris Olympics, where Pegula and Gauff, as top seeds, aimed for gold but suffered a shock second-round defeat to Czech pair Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova. The loss stung, especially after a disrupted season where Pegula’s injury limited their joint preparation to just six tournaments in 2024. Gauff, who also competed in singles and mixed doubles in Paris, later admitted to feeling mentally and physically drained. “I felt the mental and physical tiredness of having played the Olympic event,” she said, explaining her choice to skip doubles at subsequent events like the Canadian Open and Cincinnati. For Pegula, the Olympic setback prompted a reevaluation of her schedule as she eyed her first Grand Slam singles title, a goal that came tantalizingly close with her US Open final run in 2024.
Pegula’s shift in focus bore fruit at the Canadian Open, where she defended her singles title, proving her prowess as a solo act. She experimented with a temporary doubles partner, Giuliana Olmos, reaching the quarterfinals in Toronto, but emphasized a lighter doubles commitment moving forward. “I think I’ll just play maybe whenever I kind of want to, and maybe just focus on singles the rest of the year,” she noted, signaling a pragmatic approach to preserving energy for high-stakes singles matches. Gauff, meanwhile, echoed the sentiment, prioritizing her singles campaign after a standout 2024 that included a French Open doubles title with Katerina Siniakova. “I won’t be playing doubles as consistently as I have been in the past,” Gauff said, hinting at occasional doubles appearances, possibly at majors like the US Open, but not with the same intensity.
At 30, Pegula is acutely aware of the physical demands of the tour, especially as she chases a maiden Grand Slam crown. Her decision to skip doubles at the 2025 Australian Open, where she reached the fourth round in singles, underscores her commitment to longevity and peak performance. Gauff, a decade younger, faces different pressures as the US Open champion and world No. 2, balancing expectations with her desire to conserve energy for marquee events. Their mutual understanding reflects a maturity beyond their years, with Pegula praising Gauff’s growth. “She’s now much more sure of herself and knows what she wants,” Pegula said, acknowledging the 20-year-old’s evolution since their early days as partners.
While fans may miss the Pegula-Gauff tandem, the pause is not a permanent split. Both players have left the door open for future collaborations, particularly at Grand Slams or when their schedules align. For now, Pegula is relishing her singles journey, buoyed by a strong start to 2025, including a final in Adelaide. Gauff, too, is charging forward, aiming to build on her eight singles titles. Their decision, born of necessity and ambition, highlights the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level. As Pegula put it, “We’ll see,” a simple phrase that carries the weight of possibility for two stars charting their own paths, together or apart.