Months before Jessica Pegula’s US Open shenanigans made news—blazing to a first Grand Slam final—no one expected she could even reach here. In a ‘surprise’ move, she ended her five-year long partnership with coach David Witt. But what prompted Pegula to take such a bold step right before the season’s biggest tournaments?

Notably, the decision by the star player came right after her second-round exit at the Australian Open. Many assumed her career stagnancy and inability to go beyond a Grand-Slam quarter-final was partly the reason behind the split. However, this was not just startling for tennis enthusiasts, but Witt himself also claimed that the parting was a “total surprise” and he “never saw it coming.” But Pegula seemed to be clear in her mind, who was probably also motivated for a series of changes owing to fear. 

Remember, Witt is known for improving Pegula’s game drastically. In fact, he was awarded the WTA Coach of the Year in 2022, after Pegula ended the season as World No. 3. However, Pegula was motivated to make the decision due to a fear of regret. “I just felt like I needed to take some chances,” she said. “I’m 30 – not that being 30 is the end – and I think I just didn’t want to look back and be like ‘maybe I should have tried someone else, or tried something different.” After their partnership came to an end, the American coach joined hands, five months later, with Frances Tiafoe ahead of the Atlanta Open. 

Speaking of the split in San Diego, Pegula also said it happened naturally. She also reflected on her decision multiple times. “It definitely does [feel like a new beginning],” the American said in an interview, during the Indian Wells this year. She also reflected upon their partnership. “David and I obviously had a lot of success and what we were able to accomplish together was pretty amazing but I think having started with him when I was maybe 25, and then being 30 this year, I think I’m just in a much different place – a different ranking, a different place personally and career-wise.”

Interestingly, Witt was approached by Serena and Venus Williams in 2002, as a hitting partner for the Bausch & Lomb Championships, where the tennis icons were set to participate. Then in 2007, he joined the iconic duo in the same role at the Family Circle Cup.

On a separate note, Tiafoe has often spoken about his partnership and has termed him as the man who has the potential to take him to success. The partnership is also showing results for the 26-year-old who has won 16 matches and lost six since July 1. He’s played one quarterfinal, one semi-final, and one final at different tournaments since he joined hands with the veteran coach. He has also advanced to the semifinals of the US Open in a remarkable fashion. But Pegula’s decision cannot be questioned completely. 

Despite the great talent, she failed to achieve what she desired. While she failed to appear in some major events this season owing to injuries, the US Open has given her the success she has been waiting for years. Now, all she desires is to lift the trophy at her home tournament. 

“It’s a childhood dream” – Jessica Pegula reveals her desire to lift US Open title

Jessica Pegula has not just advanced to the finals but has also created records in her own way. She has become only the third WTA player in the Open Era to enter into the US Open in after turning 30. This feat was previously achieved by only Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova.

Speaking of the success after the semifinal victory against Karolina Muchova, Pegula said, “It’s a childhood dream.It’s what I wanted when I was a kid. It’s a lot of work, a lot of hard work put in. You couldn’t even imagine how much goes into it.” Continuing further, she expressed her happiness in playing in the finals in front of her home crowd.

“To be able to overcome all those challenges and say that I get a chance at the title Saturday is what we play for as players, let alone being able to do that in my home country here, in my home Slam. It’s perfect, really.” As the tournament progresses, it would be interesting to see if Jessica Pegula can do the unexpected and defeat Aryna Sabalenka in the finals, thereby justifying her decision to part ways with David Witt.