Jessica Pegula revealed in a light-hearted method that there was no want for her to bribe Coco Gauff to play doubles together with her at Wimbledon as a result of the 20-year-old American was a lady of her phrase.
Since Pegula was injured for just about the complete clay season, she and Gauff did not get an opportunity to play on the French Open and preserve their custom of taking part in doubles collectively at Grand Slams. And whereas Pegula was injured, Gauff discovered a substitute and teamed up with one of many greatest doubles names, Katerina Siniakova – they ended up profitable the French Open of their group debut.
For Pegula and Gauff, the disappointing factor about not taking part in doubles on the French Open was the truth that it might serve them as an incredible preparation for the Paris Olympics – the Olympic tennis occasion will happen on the courts of Roland Garros.
However after Gauff gained the French Open with Siniakova, she received again to taking part in doubles with Pegula after the 30-year-old American recovered from her harm. And after taking part in in Berlin, the American star duo can also be set to compete at Wimbledon.
Pegula requested if she needed to give Gauff any cash to get her away from Siniakova
Showing on Tennis Channel after her Wimbledon singles first-round win over Ashlyn Krueger, Pegula was requested by Martina Navratilova if it was exhausting to get Gauff away from Siniakova and if she needed to provide any cash.
“I imply Siniakova, she’s a tremendous doubles participant too. I did not even know they have been taking part in till they have been like within the quarters and I used to be like, ‘Oh, I did not even understand,’ as a result of I wasn’t following that a lot at residence with the time change so it is humorous. However fortunately I feel I requested her (Gauff for doubles) like earlier than that. I already like had it locked down,” Pegula mentioned on Tennis Channel.
Navratiova then interjected Pegula a bit by stating that Gauff is somebody who retains her phrase.
“Yeah, yeah. She did yeah. In order that’s good. However hopefully we are able to possibly get some momentum right here. I do know it isn’t clay however no less than for the Olympics. It is good, clearly her getting a doubles Slam is absolutely cool after which hopefully you realize we appear to play effectively the doubles. So for the Olympics, I feel it’s going to be enjoyable,” Pegula added.
“Kiss, Marry, Kill”: Clay, Grass, or Arduous?@JPegula didn’t stutter. 😎 (srry clay)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/eDkH60ofKD
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 2, 2024
At this yr’s Wimbledon, Pegula and Gauff are the No. 11 seeds and they’re scheduled to begin their doubles marketing campaign on Thursday by taking over Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska. That would be the first time that the 2 doubles pairs can be clashing in opposition to one another.
Previously, Pegula and Gauff had three early Wimbledon exits however reached the quarterfinal final yr. And contemplating that Pegula and Gauff are Slam runners-up in doubles and have been probably the greatest doubles in the previous couple of years after they play, they’re positively among the many contenders for the 2024 Wimbledon doubles title.
Pegula may also group up with Gauff on the Paris Olympics later this month
For fairly a while, it has been recognized that Pegula and Gauff plan to play doubles collectively on the Paris Olympics. And whereas their foremost focus in Paris can be on the singles occasion, they may also have the very best potential objectives within the doubles.
“You do not often see a whole lot of gamers taking part in, however for us I feel we take pleasure in it, and we use it as an opportunity to get higher in singles as effectively. To us it is sort of enjoyable that we get to exit and even when we lose singles or no matter occurs, exit and it is one other probability to compete. It is one other probability the place we wish to win,” Pegula mentioned final summer season.
“When you get on the market and also you’re within the second and also you wish to win the match, all of it sort of feels the identical. So I feel for us it is extra like additional motivation, and I feel it retains us in that aggressive mindset of, ‘OK, we’re nonetheless in these strain moments even when it is doubles, and we nonetheless wish to win the match, and we nonetheless wish to get higher.’
“I do know she’s [Gauff] informed me she actually desires to win a medal subsequent yr, and he or she actually desires a Slam, in order that’s sort of what we’re working in direction of. I feel you need to play different occasions if these are your objectives.”
However for now, Pegula and Gauff’s focus stays on Wimbledon, the place they’ll attempt to win their first Slam doubles title as a pair.