Jessica Pegula has cast doubt on her potential mixed doubles reunion with Jack Draper at the US Open, following the Brit's emotional return to competition in Canada. Draper, who has been sidelined for most of the past year with a left arm injury, broke down in tears during his Canadian Open first-round match on Tuesday.
Emotional Return in Montreal
Draper, now ranked outside the top 140, needed a wildcard to enter the Masters 1000 event in Montreal. He began sobbing after falling 1-4 behind in the final set against Terence Atmane, sparking concerns about his arm. He ultimately lost 6-4 2-6 6-2.
The former world No. 4 has already received a wildcard for next week's Cincinnati Open and is scheduled to play mixed doubles with Pegula at the US Open, where they reached the semi-finals last year.
Pegula's Concerns
Speaking ahead of the Canadian Open, where WTA players are competing in Toronto, Pegula expressed uncertainty about Draper's fitness. "I know that he's been really struggling a bit with some injuries, and I saw today he had a really tough day with his match," she said.
"I mean, I don't know if we're going to, we're supposed to play. Obviously I know he's not healthy, so we'll see how that goes. But, yeah, I've always since then been a very big fan, and it's been fun to kind of watch him. He's a really nice kid, so I enjoy playing with him."
Building a Bond
Reflecting on their partnership, Pegula noted their unlikely friendship. "We barely knew each other. Literally don't think we said two words to each other. Not intentionally. I don't feel like we ran in the same circle, for whatever reason. But now, yeah, I would say we're friends, and we kind of check in on each other every once in a while."
Pegula, the third seed in Toronto, faces Magdalena Frech in her opening match. Meanwhile, attention turns to Draper's readiness for Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.
