A poignant display of compassion and camaraderie often goes a long way in the tennis world! So, when Lyudmyla Kichenok‘s doubles partner, said, “I think it’s a good excuse to postpone it [Kichenok’s wedding] a bit,” after their doubles victory in New York, the US Open finalist, Jessica Pegula, took note of it. She was probably busy with her upcoming Grand Slam performance against Aryna Sabalenka, but amid the chaos, the former World No. 1 doubles player took the chance to show her support for her WTA peer!

Imagine this: You are playing your best tennis in one of the grandest platforms, say, in a US Open event, and as soon as you step into the doubles finals, the date coincides with your wedding! Kichenok had to undergo a similar scenario but chose to postpone the wedding to her doubles partner, Jelena Ostapenko’s coach, Stas Khmarsky. Instead, she went ahead to win the US Open doubles title, bagging prize money of $750K! 

Jessica Pegula observed it and, in a kind gesture, sent a bottle of Champagne along with a special note to Kichenok, that read, “I saw you were supposed to get married on Sunday. Congratulations on a great tournament and enjoy your wedding.” Delighted at this, the Ukrainian player took to her Instagram and posted a snap of the gift, tagging Pegula and adding, “🥹🥹.” With Ostapenko, the Australian Open doubles finalist took down Zhang Shuai and Kristina Miladenovic in straight sets (6-4, 6-3), securing her second doubles victory together this season! 

“I still have Goosebumps after match point. It feels amazing,” said the Ukrainian, who won her mixed doubles grand slam title in 2023 Wimbledon! Jessica Pegula, who did not participate in the US Open doubles after last year’s first-round exit in the event, admiring Kichenok’s victory and sacrifice to win the title, perhaps added to her excitement! While she celebrated her WTA colleague’s achievement, her own record of making it to the finals for the first time (that too in her home ground) in her career also shines bright. And she can hardly believe it herself!

“Was not thinking that I would be here,” Jessica Pegula on her path to the US Open finals

The 30-year-old American player, Jessica Pegula, faced a major injury setback at the beginning of her 2024 season that led her to opt out of the Grand Slam in Paris. Moreover, she skipped the Italian Open, and the Madrid Open as well, owing to her struggles with the rib. But when she bounced back after an early Olympic exit, Pegula successfully defended her title in Canada and had a final-round run in Cincinnati before making it to the final clash in New York. 

Talking about this whirlwind of a journey, she said, “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 because that was where my head was. I was not thinking that I would be here. So to be able to overcome all those challenges and have a chance at the title on Saturday … in my home country, in my home slam.” Calling it “perfect,” Pegula ended her statement.

Now, as Jessica continues her quest for glory, her touching tribute to Kichenok serves as a reminder that, even in the midst of intense competition, kindness and generosity can prevail. What’s your take on Pegula making it to the US Open finals? Share in the comments.