Jessica Pegula says what Ons Jabeur has done is ‘really cool’ and nobody expected it when they were junior players

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Jessica Pegula took some time to praise her rivals on the WTA Tour.

The American is in Rome competing at the Italian Open, the last WTA 1000 event before the French Open.

Pegula will be aiming for a strong run at the Foro Italico after winning just one match at her previous event, the Madrid Open.

Ahead of her first match at the Italian, Pegula reflected on her career and some of her rivals that she came up playing against, such as two-time Wimbledon runner-up.

Jessica Pegula explains what Ons Jabeur has done that is ‘real cool’ and reflected on their junior careers

Jessica Pegula has enjoyed a solid career in which she reached a career-high ranking of number three and a Grand Slam final appearance at the 2024 US Open.

The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour in recent seasons and she is aiming for even more success at the highest level.

Some of her rivals and fellow players she came through the ranks with have also achieved similar success, such as Ons Jaber, who has reached three Grand Slam finals.

In a press conference ahead of the Italian Open, Pegula took some time to credit Jabeur for her accomplishments and reflect on their time as junior players.

“I think it’s cool that you come up at the same age as somebody. You kind of see your careers kind of grow at the same time. I’ve kind of felt that way a little bit with Ons just because we were both not really top. I don’t think she was a top, top junior.

“We never came out supposed to be top 10 in the world. Kind of struggled with injuries, struggled with physical stuff. I remember playing her when we were ranked about the same, somewhere in the 70s, 80s or 90s.

“I remember when she kind of broke out and had a couple good wins. Then I would. Kind of just to see how we both kind of moved up around the same time. I didn’t know exactly she was ’94. I knew we were close in age. Yeah, seeing stuff like that, I think it is cool.

“You’re kind of on a similar journey and path. It’s cool to see that we both at one point did figure it out. I think at the end of the day when we started out, we were ranked 80 and struggling, doing all this stuff, you can appreciate the journey that we’ve been on.

“That’s kind of the entire point of what we do. It’s not always just the matches that we win, it’s kind of the journey of bouncing back from those injuries, bouncing back from tough losses, still being able to play at the top of the game. Yeah, I really appreciate those moments. I think it’s really cool.”

What is Jessica Pegula’s head-to-head record against Ons Jabeur?

Pegula is aiming for her first WTA 1000 title on clay at the Italian Open, while Jabeur is aiming for her second and first in Rome.

The Tunisian’s first clay title at WTA level came at the 2022 Madrid Open, and she defeated Pegula in the final.

This was the fifth meeting between Pegula and Jabeur, and they have faced one another six times in total.

Jabeur has won their last four meetings, including three in 2022, but they have not played each other since.

Both players have grown potentially since then, and one could argue their careers have gone in somewhat different directions, but it remains to be seen if one of them can lift the title at the Italian Open next weekend.