Jessica Pegula picks out three ‘really good’ WTA youngsters to watch out for who could be stars of tomorrow

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Jessica Pegula is among the WTA stars looking to clinch Indian Wells glory this month, with her tournament starting in round two.

Handed a bye in round one of Indian Wells 2025, Pegula will take on Pole Magda Linette in the round of 64 on Friday.

She is the fourth seed at the WTA 1000 event, behind only Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and fellow American Coco Gauff.

World number four Pegula loves the state of American tennis, with the 31-year-old playing a key part in its success in recent times.

Pegula won the ATX Open earlier this month, with fellow top 10 player and compatriot Emma Navarro winning the Merida Open.

Jessica Pegula picks out three WTA youngsters to watch out for in the future

But she is well aware of the threats to her position given the many rising stars on the WTA Tour, with Pegula picking out a handful of players to watch out for in her pre-tournament press conference.

“Oh, good question,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of really good young players. I mean, I know [Linda] Noskova has been I think a really good player.

“Obviously she did really well really quickly. I think Clara Tauson is also a really good player. I think those two obviously have shown what they can do.

READ MORE: Danielle Collins sends message on social media after seeing Jessica Pegula win ATX Open title in Austin

“Obviously Mirra [Andreeva] winning Dubai. I mean, it’s incredible what she’s been able to do at such a young age.

“I think she’s going to win a lot of tournaments and a lot of matches for the next ten years. But it feels weird because she’s kind of been on tour a little bit.

“But she’s so young. I mean, I think all those types of girls. Then you’ve got some Americans that have qualified here, Clervie [Ngounoue], I know Ashlyn Krueger has been having a really great year.

“I think all those girls. They’re all early 20s, if that. Some of them might not even be 20, which I think is crazy.

“I think that’s definitely going to be the next crop of I think top 20, at least, good players for sure to come.

“I think they’re going to do a lot of damage this year as well. I think we’ll see them kind of popping in and out and breaking through at some big tournaments.”

Jessica Pegula backs Mirra Andreeva to ‘get better’ after stunning rise

Russian star Andreeva is perhaps the most exciting of the lot, which is particularly impressive given that she is only 17.

The teenager already boasts two WTA Tour-level titles, and reached a career-high ranking of ninth last month.

READ MORE: What Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur both predicted about Mirra Andreeva which has already come true

Andreeva has since dropped to 11th in the world rankings, but undoubtedly has a very bright future ahead of her.

Asked what it is about the Russian that catches the eye, Pegula said: “I just think she’s, one, her build, she’s fairly tall but moves really well.

“I think she has a really good serve for someone at such a young age. I think her just court sense, ability to compete.

“A lot of things. A lot of things you can’t teach are already really strong and she’s only going to get better.

“Being with someone as well as Conchita [Martinez] is probably really great for her. I think everyone respects her a lot as a coach, and obviously as a former player. So that combination I think will go a long way.”