Jessica Pegula showed class in defeat as she sent a touching message to fellow countrywoman Coco Gauff after the pair’s Wuhan Open final. It marked the second title Gauff has won this year, as she defeated Pegula 6-4, 7-5 at the WTA 1000 event.
Pegula, whose net worth is estimated to be $15million (£11.3m), had battled hard to reach the final, including four three-set marathons on the bounce, but was ultimately denied a maiden Wuhan championship. That didn’t stop Pegula from sending a heartwarming message to Gauff following the defeat.
She said after the win: “I just want to say congrats to Coco and her team. Amazing job this week, guys. You played some great tennis this week. Congrats and all the best. I know we will see each other soon at the WTA Finals. It was an honour to play you as a friend and a fellow American. That was a lot of fun to be able to play and all the best.”
While 10 years might separate Gauff and Pegula in age, their standings in the WTA rankings are much closer. Gauff currently sits third, while Pegula holds fifth, with the duo set to compete in the season finale WTA Finals next month.
Gauff reciprocated the kind comments from her opponent, saying: “When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. That really went a long way, so I appreciate you. It’s great to finally play in the final against you, and I hope for many more. So, congratulations and thank you.”
It’s a much-needed confidence booster for Gauff, who only returned to action following the US Open at the China Open last month. She reached the semi-finals of that tournament, with the 21-year-old starting to regain momentum following an early exit at her home Grand Slam.
On her win, she added: “I’d like to thank my team, it was a great Asian swing [of tournaments]. I’m going to call JC [her coach Jean-Christophe Faurel] out here; he originally didn’t want me to come because I had a tough US Open but I had to prove him wrong. I’m a very stubborn person, so maybe he said that on purpose for me to have a good result here.”