For nearly 16 years, Jessica Pegula has carried the burning question, “Why not me?” a sentiment that reflects her long-held aspirations for Grand Slam glory. Pegula has also expressed that the pursuit of this dream doesn’t burden her, especially in what she perceives as a more open era on the WTA Tour following Serena Williams’ departure. While she came agonizingly close to realizing this ambition at the 2024 US Open, falling to Aryna Sabalenka in the final, her impressive performance at the current Miami Open has prompted Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci, to weigh in with a significant prediction regarding her Grand Slam chances. What exactly did Macci say, and how did Pegula react to this bold assessment?

If we take a look at Jessica Pegula’s performance this season, she started her season reaching the final at the Adelaide International. Next, she made it to the QF in Doha before clinching her first title of this season at the ATX Open. Although she failed to impress in Indian Wells, Pegula made a strong comeback in Miami. On Thursday, she beat the 2021 US Open champion, Emma Raducanu, in the QF match, 6-4,6(3)-7,6-2. With this win, she has now made it to her third semifinal in this tournament.

After seeing her impressive performances in Miami, Rick Macci came up with a tweet saying, “Pegula has always been one of the best pure ball strikers on tour not to win a Slam. She can beat anybody anytime anywhere. One of the most rock-solid players off both wings. The Buffalo Blaster could grab a SLAM this year. @JessicaPeg96546.” After seeing this post, Pegula came up with a reply a few minutes later. “Thank you!! 🥰💐💐,” she wrote in the comments section.

Jessica Pegula has reached the QF of the major tournaments multiple times in her career, but her best record came in the last season at the US Open. Just before the 2024 US Open, Pegula said, “It would be amazing to win a Grand Slam. I definitely allow myself to dream, I have always done it since I was a child, so I think you have to take yourself to those moments. It would be amazing, it would be, not as a relief, but as a reward for all the hard work.”

However, despite all that hard work throughout the two weeks, she went down to Sabalenka by 5-7,5-7 in the grand finale. What was her reaction after losing the final to the Belarusian? “I made a lot of quarterfinals but can I make a semi? Can I be a contender to actually win a Grand Slam? I lost to girls that pretty much won the tournament every time. I know my level was right there,” said Pegula. 

Following her straight-sets defeat to Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula faced some unfair criticism from fans who brought up her family’s wealth. However, Macci was quick to defend her, as he has done in the past. “Pegula and Navarro being world class has ZERO to do with the ZEROS the parents have supported them with. The calming skills the work ethic the movement and life lessons of gratitude and right attitude goes farther than the money you spend to chase greatness. @jessicapegula16 @EmmaNavarro98,” Macci’s X post read.

Even before the SF at the 2024 US Open, Serena Williams‘ childhood coach, Macci came up with a tweet that highlighted Jessica Pegula’s incredible journey: “It is not where you Start it is where you Finish. Thirty year old Jessica Pegula into the semifinals of the U.S.OPEN is an UNREAL LIFE LESSON for every parent coach and Kid. Just keep grinding and your time might arrive for a Grand Slam Bid. @jessicapegula16.” 

Jessica Pegula is now one step closer to reaching her sixth career WTA 1000 final, and her first in Miami. However, standing in her way is the Cinderella story of the tournament, 19-year-old Alexandra Eala from the Philippines, who, as a wildcard, pulled off a stunning upset against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Pegula enters this semifinal clash fresh off a hard-fought victory against Emma Raducanu, which marked her 19th victory of the season. What did Pegula say after her match against Emma Raducanu, though?

Jessica Pegula analyzes her “tough” QF match against Emma Raducanu

Britain’s resurgent Grand Slam champion looked literally unstoppable before the QF. Emma Raducanu dropped just one set in her previous matches at the 2025 Miami Open. However, Raducanu had a bit of health concerns during her match against Jessica Pegula, and she was seen seeking some medical attention during that match. However, despite all that, she showcased a fair bit of resilience and won the second set against the world number 4.

After this match, when Jessica Pegula was asked to share her thoughts on this epic QF clash, she said, “It was tough. I played a good first set, a little let down in the second, got it back, went up 2-0 in the tie-break, but the it kind of flipped. She started moving the ball really well, serving good … sometimes it just happens, but I just wanted to come out in the third really strong, really quick, and just kind of jump on her and not keep the third set too close.” 

Pegula failed to make it to the finals in 2022 and 2023, but all she now hopes is that the “third time’s the charm“. She will be facing the 19-year-old Filipina star, Alexandra Eala, in the SF. Eala recently stunned everyone by defeating the former world number one, Iga Swiatek, in the QF. Can she beat yet another top-10 opponent, or will Jessica Pegula end her dream run at the 2025 Miami Open?