Failing to play in the French Open this year ended Jessica Pegula’s impressive Grand Slam streak. The 30-year-old American missed the clay season as she was recovering from neck and back injuries. But as she returned for the grass court season, she had the perfect start in Berlin. As she celebrated her first grass court title, her compatriots including her semi final opponent Coco Gauff, were ready to congratulate her.

In the WTA Berlin final, Pegula overcame Anna Kalinskaya in a breathtaking three-set thriller. She lost the first set to the Russian, before recovering to win 6-7(0), 6-4, 7-6(3). This win comes with Wimbledon just a week away and will boost her confidence further.

Shortly after her win, the official Instagram page of WTA and Berlin Ladies Open shared snippets from the American WTA star’s victory at the WTA Berlin Classic. In the photos, Pegula was proudly kissing the Berlin Bear trophy, while some snippets from her match against Anna Kalinskaya, her trophy-lifting ceremony, and her post-victory speech also found a mention.

The post was flooded with congratulatory messages from fans and Pegula’s WTA compatriots who will join her for the Paris Olympics, were not far behind.

The 2024 Miami Open winner, Danielle Collins took to her official Instagram platform to share WTA’s post on her story and congratulated Pegula saying, “THIS GIRL @JPEGULA” Collins further added three heart emojis, red, white, and blue in color with USA’s flag, trophy and a clapping emoji to showcase her happiness.

Pegula and Collins’ friendship caught the eyes of the fraternity before their selection at the Olympics this year. In June, the world’s number-five shared her look from Vogue’s cover shoot and the Charleston Open 2024 winner was quick enough to compliment her by calling her “Super model @jpegula ❤️🙌🔥.”

In NBC Sports’ The French Connection podcast before Roland Garros 2024, Pegula also spoke highly of Collins – “Yeah, I’m a big Danielle Collins fan. I think she’s great, I think she’s entertaining. I think she’s such a great personality.” And it seemed Collins was not going to miss a moment to cheer for her Olympics partner.

The WTA’s Instagram post also spotted Pegula’s friend and other Olympic teammate Coco Gauff’s comment. Gauff dropped four clap emojis to express how happy and proud she felt sharing the Olympic vision with Pegula.

Now, Gauff and Pegula not only share a friendship but also have won five titles with their brilliant partnerships in doubles matches. They won three WTA 1000 titles in Miami, Qatar, and Toronto. Pegula also beat Gauff in the semifinals in Berlin. But despite losing, Gauff showed her gracious side after her friend’s success.

Not just Olympic buddies but Pegula’s friend Madison Keys also shared the WTA’s post on her Instagram story and congratulated her with a trophy emoji and two exclamation signs.

Keys and Pegula also share a good camaraderie. Last year after defeating Pegula at the US Open round of 16, Keys said, “It’s always tough playing a friend. We’ve been doing it basically our whole lives”.

In fact, Pegula also complimented her friend mentioning how Madison Keys “doesn’t get enough credit” despite being “a great player.” Now, on Pegula’s victory, Madison Keys proved her friendship to Pegula with her heartwarming gesture.

This show of solidarity and spirit between the American players bodes well for US tennis fans with Collins, Gauff and Pegula part of the Paris Olympics team.

American WTA tennis stars line up for Paris Olympics

After missing the clay season, Pegula will have the chance to play on the surface in Paris. On June 20, USA announced its tennis teams for the marquee showdown across the Atlantic. Pegula and Danielle Collins will be joined by Gauff and Emma Navarro for the women’s contingent. Madison Keys missed out due to health reasons.

It will be the second Olympics for Pegula, who will also play doubles at the event alongside the debutant Gauff. Desirae Krawczyk will also join the team and will compete in the doubles with Collins.

For Pegula, she will hope her redemption has just begun. At the beginning of this year, she suffered a neck injury and had to withdraw from the Middle East tournaments in February. Later, as she continued her recovery, she had to withdraw from the French Open. This ended her streak of 19 consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances, dating back to Roland Garros 2019. But now she has found her groove on grass, which bodes well for the upcoming Wimbledon.

Coco Gauff, Danielle Collins, and Madison Keys’ compliments to Jessica Pegula’s debut grass-court win restores the fraternity’s faith in tennis friendships once again. The way they showed respect and admiration for each other despite rivalry is truly commendable.