Jessica Pegula explained how the Olympic Games played a part in her defending the Canadian Open title.
The 30-year-old claimed her second title of the season by beating American compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
The World number six was thrilled to be back playing on hard courts after a long and gruelling clay and grass court court campaign.
Pegula’s performances in Toronto proved just that as her road to the US Open commenced in the best possible manner.
How did the Olympics help Jessica Pegula win the Canadian Open?
Just eight days after representing the USA at the Paris Olympics, Jessica Pegula flew to Toronto to commence her Canadian Open title defence.
This was a quick turnaround and the swift change from clay courts to hard courts seemed tricky, but not for Pegula who flew through her opening matches. In fact, the only set she dropped came against Anisimova in the final.
Post-match, Pegula said she thinks having little time to dwell on the Olympic Games and think about defending her title helped her go on to win the title.
“This week, it didn’t feel that stressful as I came straight from Paris. Maybe in a way that kind of helped as I didn’t have much time to think about defending,” she told reporters post-match.
“It was more just getting used to the hard courts, the balls, the movement is different. At the same time I always feel comfortable on hard courts anyway, so I knew I would find my footing and find my way throughout the tournament if I could get my way through the first few rounds.
“I think I was able to do that really well and play some of my best tennis in the semis and final. Maybe that in a way helped as there wasn’t too much hype, I wasn’t thinking about it too much, I was focusing on other things coming so quickly from Paris.”
What were Jessica Pegula’s results at the 2024 Olympic Games?
Pegula represented Team USA at the Olympic Games for the first time in Paris.
She was part of a team that included Coco Gauff, Danielle Collins, Emma Navarro and Desirae Krawczyk.
Pegula competed in the singles and women’s doubles but only managed to reach the second round of both competitions.
Elina Svitolina eliminated her from the singles event, while the Czech pair of Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova beat Pegula and Gauff in doubles.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
