Shortly after securing her 10th career title at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Jessica Pegula withdrew from her opening match at the ATX Open in Austin because of a left knee injury. Scheduled to face Rebecca Šramková in this WTA 250 event as the reigning champion, Pegula was replaced in the draw by lucky loser Yuan Yue following her exit.
Despite withdrawing from the tournament, Pegula chose to remain present at the event to mark a personal milestone.
Birthday Celebration Amid Recovery
On her 32nd birthday, Pegula gathered with friends and supporters in Austin, making a memorable entrance wearing a red jacket. The atmosphere was lively with many people assembled to celebrate her special day. The ATX Open even shared footage of the occasion on their social media channels, highlighting the significance despite her recent injury.
Emotional Response to Tournament Withdrawal
Expressing her disappointment at being unable to defend her ATX Open title, Pegula shared her thoughts on the situation, emphasizing her affection for the event and hopeful plans for a future return.
I am disappointed to not be able to defend my title in Austin,
Pegula said.
I love this event and have such great memories from last year. Hopefully I can come back in the future.
— Jessica Pegula, professional tennis player
Age, Experience, and Resilience on Tour
At 32 years old, Pegula ranks among the older competitors on the WTA tour, yet her recent victory in Dubai shows that age has not diminished her competitiveness. When asked about being older than many of her top 20 counterparts, she spoke candidly about her journey overcoming early-career injuries and how that experience shaped her approach to the sport.
I’m old, you can say it. I don’t feel that old because I had so many injuries in my early 20s. I don’t think I’ve built up the wear and tear on tour yearly. I was hurt a lot. I was able to mature and find my game and believe in what I needed to do through the ups and downs.
— Jessica Pegula, professional tennis player
Pegula also hopes to motivate younger players by emphasizing that success is possible beyond the age of 20, provided athletes dedicate themselves to fitness and continuous improvement.
You can still play really good tennis if you take care of your body and keep improving,
she added.
So yeah, I’m really proud of myself that I can do that as a player at 32 now.
— Jessica Pegula, professional tennis player
Focus on Health and Upcoming Tournaments
Considering the rigorous demands of the WTA tour, the decision to withdraw was made cautiously to avoid worsening her knee injury. Pegula’s priority now is to rest and recover fully, with her sights set on competing at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament, where she hopes to return to full strength and continue her winning momentum.
Dubai champ Jessica Pegula pulled out from her first round match in Austin vs Sramkova but she's still on-site to celebrate her 32nd birthday! 🎉
(ATX Open/IG stories) pic.twitter.com/LU9fgG6C6E
— Christian's Court (@christianscourt) February 24, 2026
