The WTA Finals are back, and the excitement is sky-high! Fans, experts, and pundits are already buzzing with predictions—who will take the crown, and who might stumble under the pressure? Tunisian star Ons Jabeur has joined the conversation, sharing a fresh take on who could be lifting the trophy this year.

The 30-year-old tennis sensation engaged in an interview with the media team at the WTA finals and shared her prediction for the title. In a major snub for  Coco Gauff, the Tunisian star highlighted that while Aryna Sabalenka or Jasmine Paolini might enter the finals from the Purple team, it would be one among Iga Swiatek or Jessica Pegula who would compete for the glory from the Orange team. But interestingly, her praise and admiration for Pegula stood out as she sang praises of the American star. 

Speaking in the interview, Jabeur said, “I love Jess. Not just the tennis player but her personality. I think she is amazing for all the sport. She is very humble and I love having conversations with her.” Continuing further, the Tunisian player explained why is she backing Pegula as a top title contender. “The fact that that she was injured in the beginning of the year and she hasn’t started the year very well, and ended up qualifying. I think’s that’s honestly a miracle. And I think the way she played the American swing that was so impressive.” Indeed, the upward trajectory that was witnessed in Pegula’s performance is nothing short of remarkable.  

Remember, Pegula faced some issues at the beginning of the year. She failed to win big and even withdrew from the French Open, citing a Gastrointestinal difficulty. However, she pounced back in style, and in the three tournaments she played at the American Swing, she qualified for the finals in all of them. While she won the title at the Canadian Open, she bagged the runner-up trophy in Cincinnati and the US Open. This meteoric rise makes Jabeur believe that the court will suit her gameplay and she says that she is even ready to  “put my money on Jessica Pegula,” for the tournament.

Interestingly, Pegula was also the finalist of the WTA finals in 2023 and hence, must be looking forward to amping up her level this year. And while she has failed to clinch a title in the Grand Slams, her other biggest target seems to be the season finale championship, as revealed by her coach.

“She has big goals,” Jessica Pegula’s coach makes significant admission ahead of WTA finals

Jessica Pegula will play her first match against Coco Gauff on Sunday. The duo have played 5 matches against each other with Gauff winning only one. This fact would definitely boost the confidence of Pegula for the match who seems to have set some big goals, as shared by her coach Mark Knowles.

Knowles engaged in an interaction with ESPN ahead of the tournament and said, “She has big goals.” Continuing further, he explained Pegula’s happiness and said, “Outside of winning Slams, the second-biggest goal for all of these [elite] players is to make the year-end championship. It’s validation you had a great season and it’s just the top eight players in the world, it’s really hard to get there.” This fact is making Pegula excited and she is “looking forward to meeting the challenge against the best of the best.”

Can Jessica Pegula make Ons Jabeur’s expectations true? Well, only time will tell but what remains certain is a series of intense showdowns that will unfold throughout the tournament.