Voiceover_Pegula: Recovery Progressing Well, Ready to Restart Second Half of Season

Last week, World No. 5 Pegula made a triumphant return at the Scheltholtenbosch event, advancing past the first round after her injury layoff since April. It marked her first match since representing the US in the Billie Jean King Cup, where she was forced to withdraw due to rib injuries that subsequently ruled out the entire European clay season.

This setback was particularly frustrating for the 30-year-old American ace, who had just regained momentum, reaching at least the quarterfinals in four consecutive tournaments leading up to the tournament. She reached the semifinals in both San Diego and Charleston.

After the Billie Jean King Cup, Pegula experienced worsening rib pain, making it difficult to sleep and even breathe. A subsequent MRI and consultations with doctors diagnosed a costochondritis, a condition that could potentially lead to a stress fracture.

“The treatments are similar, so we decided to err on the side of caution and treat it as if it were a stress fracture,” she explained.

This year’s season, with the Olympics added, was chaotic. Given her baseline game, Pegula chose to focus on grass and the remainder of the hardcourt season, aiming to give her best in the remaining matches rather than risking a subpar performance on clay. “It’s safer for me this way,” she said.

Pegula took about four weeks off, gradually returning to training with the goal of playing Roland Garros. Normally, she would participate in Paris, but the stakes were too high this year, leading her to withdraw before the draw.

“We’ve been training like I’m preparing for Roland Garros, but it’s still too early. My body is fine now, and I would definitely play if the tournament started a week later,” she shared.

Her patience paid off, as Pegula showcased excellent form in her comeback match, defeating her opponent in under an hour with straight-set victories.

“I felt great moving around the court – there was no feeling of being rusty. I’ve been through this before, and while it’s tough to start after a break, this time I felt really good,” she said.

Despite her absence, watching the tour continue without her was challenging.

“I know I can compete at a high level in the long run, and I don’t need those matches to feel elite. However, seeing everyone else ahead of me can be nerve-wracking,” admitted Pegula.

This year, she missed several Grand Slam events, and her record in the 1000-level has suffered. In 2020, she had been consistent, but this year, she only played two of the six 1000 tournaments, achieving her best result of the Miami quarterfinals.

Pegula is now geared up for the second half of the season. Her plans include playing a full grass court schedule, including Wimbledon, and she has entered Berlin and Eastbourne. Next, she’ll return to clay for the Paris Olympics before finishing the year on her favorite surface, hard courts.

“I’m looking forward to pushing harder on hard courts, especially after the US Open. In recent years, I didn’t have to work as hard, but I need to approach the upcoming challenges with a fresh mindset,” she remarked.

How much has the tour changed during her absence? “Iga has dominated the clay, but the grass season promises excitement. I feel like I’m back in a familiar spot, which is great,” Pegula concluded.

(By WTA)