Billionaire Jessica Pegula has a solution for Coco Gauff. Well, she’s got an idea of what her countrywoman can use to her advantage at the US Open. The compatriots are currently in action at Flushing Meadows, where Gauff is bidding for a successful title defense, and Pegula will be aiming to thwart her quest in the event’s latter stages. But, the 30-year-old has a trick up her sleeve, it can guide Gauff to properly address the New York crowd.
Against all odds and in a rehabilitated form, Gauff has finessed the hardcourt Slam’s stage with her jaw-dropping performances. While her performances erupt the New York crowd, she doesn’t know how to make the best of those regards. Simply, Gauff is unsure about how to wave at fans properly. This, in turn, has elicited Pegula to chime in on the No. 3 seed’s hand-waving technique, or lack thereof.
In a post-match presser, a reporter notably mentioned how Gauff’s countryman, Ben Shelton, taunted her for her ‘inability to wave’ at fans. Subsequently, Pegula was asked if there lies an appropriate tactic that can be practiced by the 20-year-old in her matches. In her response, the No. 6 seed proceeded to acknowledge that things get “awkward” and “a little weird” for her on the big stage too. Citing that she was “not sure what to do” during that winning moment, a skeptical Jessica Pegula hinted that “maybe there is a little bit of an art to it”. She also name-dropped ‘Princess Diaries,’ a fairy tale movie in which one of the characters showcases how one should proceed when a crowd is summoned.
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Polls of the day Poll 1 of 5 How do you feel about Jessica Pegula’s confession regarding fan interactions? Relatable Surprising Disappointing Understandable Do you think Gaston Murray’s coaching will propel Emma Navarro to US Open glory? Absolutely Maybe Not a chance Who is Gaston Murray? Whats your Perspective on: Jessica Pegula’s ‘weird feeling’ with fans—Is it time for tennis to rethink player-fan interactions? Have an interesting take? Join The Debate Do you think Daniel Evans made the right decision entering the US Open without a coach? Yes, he knows his game best No, a coach is essential Maybe, it depends on his performance Is Gabriel Diallo the next big thing in Canadian tennis? Absolutely Not yet Too early to tell No way
While all this is said and done, the ‘unknown art to waving’ may likely be decrypted by Pegula herself. She will need that, considering she’s in no mood to take her foot off the gas just yet and is looking to go all the way at the ongoing US Open.
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Jessica secures third consecutive R4 appearance at the US Open
Riding on the back of a Canadian Open title and Cincinnati Masters final, Pegula isn’t looking to let the hype around her die. The No. 6 seed has taken the hardcourt event by storm, outfoxing her rivals to reach the fourth round.
Pegula is now looking to reach better milestones in New York this season. Having reached her third back-to-back fourth-round appearance at the hardcourt event, the American reserved some words to reflect on her journey, wherein she talked about how she has evolved over the years in a post-match presser. For those unaware, last year, the 30-year-old crashed out of Flushing Meadows R4 after suffering a straight-set defeat to Maddison Keys.
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She said, “This is the one where I feel the most pressure but at the same time when I was younger I always had better results as well. Qualified here twice, and was able to get my main draw win here. I feel like I play just as well at the other Slams but for some reason, I’ve been able to kind of use that momentum of being an American at the US Open and do pretty well.”
The No. 6 seed is slated to lock horns with Diana Shnaider in the fourth round of the USO on Monday, September 2. With the crowd backing her, chances are Pegula digs deeper at her home event and manages to produce a thriller for the fans in New York fans and all over the globe.
Jessica Pegula Confesses to ‘Weird’ Feeling with Fans Following Coco Gauff’s Brave Admission at the US Open
