In today’s competitive world of sports, being a professional tennis star is no mean feat. There is very little margin for error between winning and losing, which can significantly affect players’ physical and mental health. Ask American tennis star, Shelby Rogers, who at 31, is at the peak of her career. Rogers is in New York where she will be playing in the US Open. As she opens her campaign later today, a past interview of her went viral in which she opened up about her faith in Jesus Christ.

While Rogers has been playing on the WTA Tour for long, the American star credited her faith in god for the longevity of her career. Last year, she was interviewed by Sports Spectrum where she made a stirring admission about her faith in god. Rogers mentioned, “I mean, bottom line, I’m not perfect. I need a savior and he is my savior and that’s where I put my trust, I put my faith and that’s where I believe in. I carry him with me everyday, I feel his presence and it’s been very instrumental in my life and my career.”

Rogers started playing tennis at the age of just 4. Picking up the racket at such a young age, winning and losing became part and parcel of her life. However, she wanted to find an identity outside the sport. “So finding Jesus and placing my identity in him and who I am as a person… a child of God and that that doesn’t have to fluctuate with worldly success was really huge for me,” Rogers said.

The American star will be playing in her final US Open and has been handed a tricky draw. Rogers will take on her good friend and compatriot, Jessica Pegula, in the opening round. However, the latter wasn’t impressed much with the draw.

Jessica Pegula on being drawn against Shelby Rogers: ‘It sucks having to play her’

Given her form, Pegula is one of the favorites to win the title in New York. But, knowing that it is Rogers’ last US Open, Pegula was left saddened to find her friend on the opposite end of the court. During an interview at the tournament, the 30-year-old revealed what was it like to face off against her friend in her final US Open tournament.

Pegula said, “It sucks having to play her. She kind of told me before, and I didn’t know if she was going to announce it or not. Then I saw, obviously, I think this morning she announced it. I saw her this morning, too. It’s crazy to me that, like, obviously I know she had a lot of injuries, but to see people, like, my age retiring, her, Danielle, it’s sad.”

The battles between Pegula and Rogers date back to their junior days. Further, they have also gone on to play against each other on the WTA Tour, with Pegula winning the only encounter between them. With Rogers in her last US Open tournament, she would like to give it her all against her good friend Pegula. Who do you think will win this encounter?