What Happened
Defending champion Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from the ATX Open due to a left knee injury. The World No. 5 was set to face Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova in her opening match but has been replaced in the draw by Yuan Yue. Eighteen-year-old Iva Jovic is now the top seed in the tournament.
Why It Matters
Pegula’s withdrawal is significant as it comes on her 32nd birthday and follows her recent victory at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she claimed her 10th career WTA Tour title. Despite her success, Pegula’s injury raises concerns about her physical health and ability to compete at a high level, especially as she has been a consistent performer in the top 10 since 2022. Her absence from the ATX Open also highlights the challenges players face in balancing their health with the demanding WTA calendar, which has seen many top players withdraw from events recently.
What’s Next
Pegula expressed disappointment over missing the opportunity to defend her title in Austin, stating, “I love this event and have such great memories from last year. Hopefully, I can come back in the future.” As she recovers, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this injury affects her performance in upcoming tournaments, particularly the remaining Grand Slams of the year, where she has previously shown strong potential.
