'I didn’t feel like I did much wrong': Jessica Pegula puzzled with narrow US Open semifinal defeat

Jessica Pegula walked into the interview room at Flushing Meadows with the air of someone who had left everything on court. The American, who fell to Aryna Sabalenka in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 semifinal at the 2025 US Open, faced the media with candour and composure and a root beer lollipop, whilst reflecting on the margins that decided her match against the world’s best.

In the US Open press conference, when asked if she shared the impression that the contest had been of the highest quality, Pegula did not hesitate. "Yeah, I thought it was really high level," she said.

"I don’t know how I didn’t break back in the third. I thought I played some really good points to win the first set. She upped her level, started serving a lot better in the second. Then I felt like it was really even in the third, there wasn’t much difference. We were both serving pretty well. She came up with some ridiculous shots, especially on break points. I didn’t feel like I did much wrong. The level was really high, and we were pushing each other every single game.".

That equilibrium was reflected in Pegula’s service numbers. Though she dropped her opening game of the deciding set, she scarcely wavered afterwards, only losing four points on her serve in the third set. "The first game unfortunately ended up being the difference," she admitted. "But after that I was holding really easily and putting a lot of pressure on her serve every single time. I thought I served so much better than the last time I played her. I served really well at the end of the first set to take it. Maybe I dipped a little bit in the second, but she served a lot better then too.".

"Overall, I served much better than last time, which you have to do against her because she returns well and puts pressure on you, not just with returns but also because she’s a good server. It’s always going to be difficult to break back. I actually felt like I served better in the third, even though I got broken in the first game and didn’t break her. It was just unfortunate.".

Jessica Pegula

Pegula's learnings in comparison to last year's US Open final

Pegula was reminded that she reached the final last year as well, one round further than this campaign, and asked whether this performance suggested she was edging closer to the breakthrough her career has long promised, where she stated:

"I always feel like I’m close. I’m one of the top players in the world. I always feel like I can go out and beat these girls. Even though I maybe don’t have the massive weapon or flashiness that some of them have, I feel like I’m always right there. Every time I play them, I never feel like I’m getting blown off the court. Maybe the only time was in Cincinnati when I played her and she served like Serena, it was just too good, what was I supposed to do? But I’ve felt good against the top players. I know I didn’t play a seed until here, but I was playing good tennis. Considering how my summer started and how it was trending, I’m happy with the effort I put in tonight against the best player in the world right now."

Jessica Pegula's thoughts on the home crowd

Pegula also savoured the chance to play before a raucous home crowd. "It’s been really nice having my family here," she said. "My mom hasn’t seen me play live in a long time. She never liked to watch because she’d get too nervous. The crowd was insane as always. Arthur Ashe at 7 p.m., here’s no better place to play as an American. The atmosphere is incredible, like always.".

For Pegula, the semifinal may have ended in defeat, but her words carried both self-belief and perspective. Against the backdrop of the sport’s most electric stage, she reaffirmed her place among the elite, not with grand declarations, but with the steady conviction of a player who knows she is, in her own words, always close.