Jessica Pegula has revealed that Novak Djokovic is the player she would most want to coach her, explaining that his tactical approach to the game matches her own style more closely than that of other tennis greats.
The current world No. 3 arrives at the US Open in strong form after reaching the Cincinnati Open final. She could become the new world No. 1 if she wins a maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
Pegula explains her coaching choice
Speaking to Sports Illustrated ahead of the tournament, Pegula said she would love to understand how Djokovic thinks during matches.
“Maybe Novak Djokovic because he’s the greatest player of all time. But I just, I would love to know what goes through his head tactically throughout a match,” she said.
Pegula, known for her solid and reliable game, believes she would struggle to follow instructions from Roger Federer or Serena Williams.
“I feel like there’s some other top players … Serena just had her serve and she was so powerful. Like I don’t know what she’d be able to tell me, she’d be like, ‘Just hit an ace’. And I’d be like, ‘I can’t do that’,” she added.
Why Djokovic fits her game
The former US Open finalist felt the same would apply with Federer and Rafael Nadal, but identified more common ground with Djokovic’s all-around tactical improvement.
“I think Roger Federer was just so talented that everything just came naturally to him, and I think Nadal had that crazy physicality and like competitive mindset. But I feel like Novak was very tactical, and I think that’s more related to my game style,” Pegula said.
Both Djokovic and Pegula are competing at Flushing Meadows over the coming fortnight, and the world No. 3 could ask the Serbian for advice in her quest for a first Grand Slam title.
Season so far and New York ambitions
This season, the 32-year-old has won the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, finished runner-up in Cincinnati, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
“I think coming into the fourth Major, my season has been great. It’s gone by really quickly. Tennis is just one of those sports that makes you move on very quickly – in a good, in a bad way,” she explained.
“If I look at my year, it’s been incredible, to be honest. But of course, there’s a lot more work to do, and I think a lot more goals that I want to accomplish.”
