WTA Berlin: Coco Gauff Relies on Her Comfort Zone in Doubles as Jessica Pegula’s Arrival Restarts Golden Partnership

When Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula teamed up to play doubles on the WTA Tour, did you imagine them achieving the kind of success they have? Because that’s not very common in tennis – two predominantly singles players coming together to become a formidable doubles duo. But that’s what happened with the All-American pair, as they quickly became one of the best teams on tour. However, their partnership seemingly started to unravel this year, so much so that people felt they’d do better with different partners. Well, Gauff took that advice and ran away with it… only to return to her trusted compatriot.

Gauff and Pegula’s most recent outing as a duo came at the Miami Open, where they exited the tournament in the first round, losing to their compatriots, Ashlyn Krueger and Sloane Stephens. A week later, Jessica Pegula sustained a rib injury, which wrote her off for the rest of the clay swing. That allowed Coco Gauff to experiment with other teammates, and that’s precisely what she did. Participating in the doubles event in three of her next four tournaments, the 20-year-old patterned with as many teammates.

In Madrid, it was Taylor Townsend; in Rome, it was Erin Routliffe; and at the French Open, it was Katerina Siniakova. And her latest run was the best of the lot because it finally resulted in the American winning a Grand Slam on her favorite surface! While her singles run at Stade Roland-Garros ended after Iga Swiatek defeated her in the semifinals, she kept up the fight in the doubles draw and eventually lifted the Simonne-Mathieu Cup alongside Siniakova. But even though her partnership immediately proved fruitful, Jessica Pegula is back to assume her rightful spot alongside Gauff.

As the season heads into the grass swing, the singles World No.2 begins her campaign in Berlin. With the event draws came a welcome surprise for Gauff and Pegula fans. Not only is the 30-year-old back from her rib injury, but she’s also fit enough to play singles and doubles. Towards the end of last year, Gauff and Pegula mentioned wanting to focus more on singles. “We definitely want to play Olympics next year. I think, maybe once we get past that, we’ll rethink about [our partnership],” said Pegula. Considering this, fans knew they would be back on the same side of the court. They just didn’t know when.

Well, now they do. It’s in Berlin. However, as the American duo would look to start off on a winning note, their first clash in Berlin could be tricky. As Coco Gauff plays with her 30-year-old partner once again, a dramatic first-round showdown awaits the duo. Katerina Siniakova, who backed the 20-year-old American to lay hands on her first doubles Grand Slam trophy, is set to face her in their first clash on grass this year. Playing alongside Linda Noskova, it is evident that the duo would pose a tough challenge.

Gauff’s decision to get back with Pegula seems justified. In a notable period that the duo shared on the courts, they secured 5 WTA Tour titles, including 3 WTA Masters 1000 tournaments. Pegula and Gauff also made it to the finals at Roland Garros back in 2022, losing in three sets to home favorites Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.

That said, all eyes will be on how they perform after this time apart, especially since there’s quite a lot at stake – an Olympics appearance. After all, that was their goal at the end of last year. But seeing as Pegula sat out most of the clay swing and the fact that players will return to the courts at Roland Garros for the Paris Olympics, could the 30-year-old’s absence prove costly for the American duo? Well, they sure hope it doesn’t.

Jessica Pegula envisions the Olympic dream alongside Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are set to test their chemistry at the Paris Olympics, and the younger player seems quite excited. Gauff expressed her desire to secure an Olympic gold: “A gold medal is a gold medal, where I feel like the Grand Slams is definitely way cooler to win a singles one than a doubles one,” she said during a post-match conference during her 2023 Canadian Open run.

Agreeing with Gauff’s dream to secure a win at the Olympics, Pegula showed confidence in their partnership. “You don’t usually see a lot of players playing, but for us I think we enjoy it. To us, it’s kind of fun that we get to go out and even if we lose singles or whatever happens, go out and it’s another chance to compete,” the 30-year-old said in the 2023 Canadian Open as well.

The anticipation levels are surging as Coco Gauff is set to side with Jessica Pegula once again. As the event in Berlin would help them test their levels before the Paris Olympics, the two will aim to win their first WTA titles on grass, looking to carry the momentum even further.