‘Hang It Up’: Coco Gauff & Jessica Pegula’s Miami Debacle Turns Fans Against the American Duo

Back when Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff first partnered up to play doubles on the WTA Tour, most felt it would follow the same story: two singles players trying their hands at doubles. However, the American pair quickly became one of the best doubles teams on the circuit. Despite their success, there have been rumors they’ll split after the 2024 Olympics. But now, after their Miami Open outing, many in the tennis community are of the impression: Why wait until the Olympics?

In a 2023 interview with Tennis Channel, Pegula opened up about a shift in their doubles dynamic, with them wanting to prioritize singles. “We definitely want to play Olympics next year. I think, maybe once we get past that, we’ll rethink about [our partnership],” she said. Since then, their doubles game hasn’t been bad. But it hasn’t been particularly good, either. And if winning the Olympics is their goal, there might be other American duos who could deny them that feat. Just like the one at the Miami Open.

Last time out, at the Indian Wells Masters, Gauff and Pegula reached the quarterfinals. But they couldn’t replicate that impressive run in the Sunshine State as Ashlyn Krueger and Sloane Stephens defeated them in the first round. Considering the Krueger-Stephens pair doesn’t play doubles as often as the No.5 seeds, the 3-set upset surprised many. One fan highlighted the need for Gauff and Pegula to find different partners.

They wrote, “I think Jess and Coco would actually thrive with different partners at this point. They’ve maxed out this partnership.” At one point in their careers, they might’ve been the perfect doubles partners for each other. But after a string of unsuccessful campaigns, that might not be the case anymore. While the first round at the Miami Open didn’t help their case, it’s important to note that tennis is a game of fine margins.

In the all-American battle, Ashlyn Krueger and Sloane Stephens got off to a flying start, taking a 5-0 lead in the first. Although Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula got one of the breaks back, the former duo took the set 6-3. In the second set, fortunes reversed, and Gauff and Pegula had a comfortable 5-1 lead that they converted. However, in the third-set super tiebreak, Stephens and Krueger were more consistent when it mattered and sealed the victory, 10-8.

The fact that the fifth seeds were only a couple of points from the win, however, didn’t really matter to fans in the tennis community. And they made their thoughts on the future of the Gauff-Pegula pairing extremely clear.

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula’s partnership “is a mess” right now, per fans

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have won 5 doubles titles together, reached a Grand Slam Final (2022 French Open), qualified for the WTA Finals, and have been No.1 and No.2 in the doubles rankings, making them the best team on the circuit. If you think about it, they’ve achieved almost everything a doubles pairing could want. And in light of their recent performances, one user thinks it’s time for them to go their separate ways.

They’ve not achieved one thing, though. During the 2023 Canadian Open, Gauff revealed, “One of my biggest dreams is to win a gold medal. And frankly, I think it’s one of the things that it doesn’t matter what event it’s in. A gold medal is a gold medal.” If she wants to achieve that at the Olympics this year, her fans don’t think partnering with Jessica Pegula would get her that.

“Actually, I feel like Osta[penko] would be the right partner in terms of game for Coco. But of course, that is very unlikely to happen, especially in Olympic year,” wrote one of them. But considering the Olympics, a Reddit user said, “Put Coco with Taylor [Townsend] or something for the Olympics. This is a mess.” Like Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend is a hard hitter. And alongside Gauff, the lefty-righty paring could be a formidable one.

Considering how much doing well at the Olympics means to both, Gauff and Pegula spoke about prioritizing the clay season more for doubles since the Olympics will be held at the same venue as the French Open. And as much as the tennis community has warmed up to them as teammates, some feel it won’t work in Paris. However, still optimistic, one fan wrote,

“I love them but, yes. Their partnership seems maxed out (I hope I’m wrong, though, and I hope they still have it in them).”

After their Miami Open exit, though, others aren’t as optimistic.

“I mean, losing to a part-time doubles-playing duo should hit them in the face with this if nothing else,” expressed a user. A Reddit user explained the cause for their inconsistency, bringing to light a crucial aspect of succeeding in doubles. “I would guess the reason they are struggling nowadays is that each is focusing more on their singles game and that leads to them struggling in doubles, where synergy is a huge part of form.”

Despite the criticism, there’s no doubt that Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have plenty of people in the tennis community rooting for them. Their plan was always to slow down after the Olympics this year. And if the clay court season is what they’re focusing on, this Miami Open upset shouldn’t weigh down on them too heavily. That said, do you think they should split up?

Read more: Coco Gauff Rules Out Friendship with Jessica Pegula as a Potential Reason for Her Canadian Open Loss – ‘It’s Nothing Different’