Shock Exit Sparks Jessica Pegula’s Brutal Critique of Australian Open Conditions: ‘Not Even the Same Tournament’

Over the past few years, the playing surfaces have caught much attention in the tennis world. Players have often spoken about how surfaces behave unexpectedly at some events. The case was no different at the ongoing Australian Open. While the surfaces in Melbourne have traditionally played faster over the years, it has slowed down considerably this year, as highlighted by American star, Jessica Pegula. After her match earlier today, the 30-year-old was quite vocal in her criticism of the Australian Open surface this time around.

Dubbed one of the favorites to win the tournament, Pegula suffered an unexpected defeat against Olga Danilovic in the third round 7-6 (3), 6-1. Pegula’s match was scheduled in the night session under the lights, much to the dislike of the American star as the court played very slow, giving her opponent an advantage.

During the post-match press conference, Pegula highlighted the issue, saying, “Yeah I mean she served like 80% first serves and when you’re playing against a lefty, that’s really tough conditions were so slow I mean it was slower than like a clay court it felt like the balls were so heavy and that totally I think favored her um for sure especially with her Lefty kind of whippy forehand up to my backhand it’s really tough…I mean, it’s not even the same tournament from like my first-round match.”

However, Pegula isn’t the only player to complain that the surface at the Rod Laver Arena was playing slow.

A few years back, Tsitsipas made a similar claim, saying, “I find Rod Laver may be one of the slowest courts out there, I think, yeah. I think the speed of the court, it’s in most Grand Slams like this, not all courts are the same speed. It is how it is. I don’t really have to pay too much attention and detail on this.” This was in disagreement with 10-time Australian Open winner, Novak Djokovic.

At the Australian Open 2021, then-World number one Novak Djokovic described the courts as playing “like ice” due to their exceptional speed. The reigning champion needed four sets to get past Frances Tiafoe, beating the American 6-3 6-7(3) 7-6(2) 6-3 to reach the third round. Djokovic served a record 26 aces in the match, attributing the high number to the fast court conditions.

“Honestly, it’s like ice out there – I don’t know what they’ve done but the speed of the court has been the fastest in the last 15 years, the fastest I’ve ever experienced here at the Australian Open. I don’t know what the reason for that but it keeps getting faster and faster. You need to serve well, if you don’t, if you’re playing against someone that is solid, it’s tough to win matches on this court,” said Djokovic as Eurosport had reported.

Moving back to the current scene, while Pegula was unhappy with the slow surface, her opponent, Danilovic, was beaming with joy after the biggest win of her career. Emotions got the better of her as she reacted to her big win.

Olga Danilovic had the self-belief to defeat Jessica Pegula

At just 23, Danilovic is making big strides in her tennis career. The mentee of Novak Djokovic and daughter of famed basketball star Predrag Danilović is into the fourth round of the Australian Open, her best performance at the tournament. After defeating Pegula—her second win against a Top 1o player, the Serbian star was over the moon with the result.

During an interview, she stated, “I’m super happy with the way I played, honestly. She’s on top of the world, such a great player. I knew I had to bring my AAA+++ game to beat her. But you know, in the back of my mind, I really believed in myself. I came on this court to enjoy first; this is my first time on such a big court, on Rod Laver Arena. I don’t know what to say. I’m just so happy at the moment!”

With her showing at the Australian Open, Danilovic will enter the top 50 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. Indeed, it is a stepping stone in her career and she will face Paula Badosa for a place in the Australian Open quarterfinals.