Comeback queen Jessica Pegula is ready to chase her first US Open title. The American star’s impressive journey to the finals, where she is set to face Aryna Sabalenka, has sent waves through the tennis world. While Pegula’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable, there may be another factor fueling her resurgence—Andy Roddick’s guidance. Andy Roddick, who retired in 2012, has shifted his focus toward punditry for years now, becoming a prominent voice in the tennis world.

However, his involvement goes beyond commentary, as he has been working closely with Jessica Pegula through her remarkable rise. Now that Pegula has reached the US Open finals, Roddick shared insights into his involvement with her game during a recent episode of “Served Up with Andy Roddick.” He talked candidly about how he assisted Pegula in honing her serve. Pegula’s serve has developed into an absolute weapon now, and Roddick’s coaching may have had a significant role in her unexpected US Open run.

Roddick said, “When Jess and I have talked in the past, it’s like, What do we need to improve on serve? How do you go about it? And the process is, you know, she name-checks people like Swiatek and Sabalenka, where it’s like, I need a little bit more movement so I can kind of get past that first strike and not get the racket taken out of my hands immediately.” 

The American legend further added, “All I did with Jess, and all I have done, is continue to ask questions that she already knows the answers to,” Roddick shared, adding, “I don’t think she needs anyone dictating what needs to happen—she’s ranked three or four in the world right now.”

Pegula’s curiosity about different aspects of her game has driven her to seek fresh perspectives. Talking more about her personality, Roddick added, “She’s taken advantage of different voices while she’s been off with specific parts of her game. It’s been fun for me because I’m a tennis nerd, so learning what someone else at the top of the game wants has been interesting. So I said, listen just because it’s my opinion doesn’t mean it’s right but hopefully it gives you something to think about.”

In her maiden Slam semifinal, Jessica Pegula was outmatched by Karolína Muchová in the first set. The Czech’s play was so dominant that Pegula struggled to gain a foothold. However, the American overcame the unseeded player by exhibiting incredible fortitude and tactical modifications. Pegula later talked about making it to the final and what winning the US Open would mean to her.

Jessica Pegula reveals her thoughts on reaching the US Open final 

Making it to the finals of a Grand Slam at home is a noteworthy accomplishment for Pegula. But winning the championship would take her achievement to another level. She stated, “If you would have told me at the beginning of the year I’d be in the finals of the US Open, I would have laughed so hard. 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.” 

After facing tough competition from Karolína Muchová on her way to the final, Pegula attributed her achievements to seizing vital moments that turned the tide in her favor. Looking back at the match, she admitted that Muchová’s play was so outstanding that it made her feel inexperienced on the court. She called Muchová ‘unbelievable,’ emphasizing how difficult that encounter was and how much skill was needed to get into the final.

Sabalenka defeated Emma Navarro earlier in the tournament, ending the possibility of an all-American final at the US Open. Nonetheless, Pegula is carrying the expectations of the local fans now who want to see another American champion at the US Open this year, just like last year when Coco Gauff beat Sabalenka.