Back in 2025, Chris Evert was previewing the chances of American success at Roland Garros.
Naturally, Coco Gauff’s name stood out, given the consistent run she had enjoyed on the clay over the months beforehand.
Whilst that premonition came true, the legendary American’s claim about another of her compatriots was not quite as accurate.
And, rather crucially, there’s reason to believe that she will be proved further wrong this year, with Jessica Pegula set to thrive with renewed energy on clay.
Chris Evert’s damning assessment of Jessica Pegula in 2025
Around this time last year, Evert dismissed Pegula’s chances at Roland Garros completely.
She justified her argument by admitting: “I have a lot of respect for Jessie Pegula’s game. She has done great to reach the finals of the US Open.
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“I don’t see the fire in her eyes, and she is low energy. She is very solid and dependable, but she doesn’t have that one big shot that can win free points for her, and I think that hurts her.
“All the other top players do have those shots.”
It could already be argued that Evert was instantly proven incorrect, given that Pegula made it into the fourth round at the French Open last year.
Why Jessica Pegula can challenge at Roland Garros this year
Whilst Evert admitted to not seeing the ‘fire in her eyes’ last year, that is certainly not the case this year.
After all, ever since her fourth-round loss at Roland Garros and first-round exit from Wimbledon, she has been a constant threat for Grand Slam titles.
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Reaching back-to-back semi-finals at the major level, including in Melbourne earlier this year, Pegula has found far more consistency at the top level of late.
That was compounded by her title in Dubai, and the American has started her clay-court season strongly in Charleston too.
She may not be the favourite for the title, but she cannot be dismissed as easily as she might have been last year.
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