American tennis player Jessica Pegula has explained her decision to reduce her doubles schedule at Wimbledon, citing intense scheduling and long tournament days.
Pegula advanced to the second round by defeating Darja Vidmanova 7-5, 6-3 on the opening day of the Grand Slam tournament on Monday.
The world number four recently reunited with Coco Gauff in Berlin, where they reached the quarterfinals before focusing strictly on singles at Wimbledon.
Pegula noted that navigating both formats creates logistical difficulties during extended tournaments.
"Yeah, do I miss playing. It was so fun playing with her again in Berlin.
I felt like when we're playing well, we complement each other very well," said Pegula.
She elaborated on the physical toll of competing late into the night before early singles matches the next morning, particularly during two-week events.
"I mean, I miss playing a lot.
I think the problem is more of just the scheduling and kind of the really long days," she added.
"We would get scheduled so late for doubles, having to come back and play singles relatively early the next day."
Pegula recalled a particularly challenging experience in Miami, where she played doubles late and then had to return early for a singles match in the heat.
"TV wants us to be at certain times, especially now that we've been established singles players for a while.
But I miss playing. I think it really helped my game," she said.
She also praised rising American talent Iva Jovic, who advanced to the second round after defeating Jaqueline Cristian 7-6(7-1), 6-0.
"I think she's a great player, I think she's so good. I practiced with her a little bit," Pegula said of the 18-year-old.
"You could just see the look in her face, like, she means business every time she steps out.
I think that is something super rare."
Pegula added that Jovic has asserted herself as a top-20 player and can go even higher.
"She's gotten so much stronger physically and super fit and competes like an animal. I really respect that aspect of her," she stated.
Following their respective first-round victories, Jovic will play the winner of Yulia Putintseva vs. Tatjana Maria, while Pegula faces Sara Sorribes in the second round.
