Jessica Pegula is not happy ahead of the US Open despite heading into the tournament in superb form.
Pegula is the sixth seed at the US Open, with the American having impressed on the hard courts this summer.
She successfully defended her Canadian Open title earlier this month, with Pegula defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
The 30-year-old then performed admirably at the Cincinnati Open, reaching the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
Pegula now takes on Shelby Rogers in round one of the US Open, with the latter set for her final Flushing Meadows appearance before retiring.
Jessica Pegula isn’t happy at the US Open already
The 31-year-old will be seeking to cause a major upset in New York, but getting past an in-form Pegula will be a very tricky challenge.
Pegula has now shared her thoughts ahead of the all-American battle, saying in her opening press conference: “It sucks having to play her. She kind of told me before, and I didn’t know if she was going to announce it or not.
READ MORE: All to know on the 2024 US Open including dates and how to watch in the US
“Then I saw, I think this morning she announced it. I saw her this morning, too. It’s crazy to me that, obviously I know she had a lot of injuries, but to see people my age retiring, her, Danielle [Collins], it’s sad.
“Shelby and I go way back. We were battling at Georgia, Southern sectional 16-and-unders and now we’re playing in the US Open. Obviously she’s had amazing results here too and has been a top player.
“But it’s pretty crazy and I think cool in the same way to say that we were playing at all these crazy sectional tournaments. And yeah, being able to end your career at the US Open and play each other, it’s pretty amazing when you look at it that way.
“It’s a bummer. I don’t like having to play any American, especially here. That part kind of sucks, but at the same time, at least it comes full circle in some way or another. I hope she’s looking forward to what’s coming after.”
Shelby Rogers and Danielle Collins set to join retired stars
Rogers is set to hang up her racket in the near future, with the American having reached a career-high WTA ranking of 30 back in August 2022.
She currently sits 356th in the WTA rankings ahead of the US Open, with Pegula occupying number six in the list.
READ MORE: How much prize money the 2024 US Open will pay players and every winner
Their compatriot Collins meanwhile is ranked 11th, with the 30-year-old set to retire from tennis at the end of the season.
Former WTA number 37 Alison Van Uytvanck is another to retire of late, with the Belgian having called time on her career earlier this month.
The retirement decisions have certainly not been limited to women’s stars, with Rafael Nadal expected to follow Andy Murray in retiring from tennis shortly.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
