Pegula Calls for Radical Change in Women’s Tennis, Warns of Imminent Collapse
NEW YORK – Jessica Pegula has launched a scathing critique of the current state of women’s tennis, warning that the sport is on an unsustainable path and risks collapse without notable reform. In a recently published column,the 31-year-old American player joined a growing chorus of athletes demanding better player welfare and a fundamental restructuring of the tour.
“There comes a point where every player knows that enough is enough,” Pegula stated.
Her strong stance follows recent action by Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, who penned a letter to Grand Slam tournament organizers requesting greater consideration for player well-being. Pegula echoed their concerns, asserting that women’s tennis must “reinvent itself to survive.”
Pegula expressed frustration with what she described as a system that treats players as “simple resources to be exploited to generate income,” emphasizing the need to recognize athletes as “human beings” with inherent limits. She pinpointed the grueling schedule as a primary issue,advocating for adaptation to ensure “lasting careers.”
“The first way to improve the well-being of players is to consult them on decisions that concern them. And today,we are still far from an agreement,” she insisted.
The call for change is underscored by a recent wave of injuries among prominent players. Pegula cited examples like Jack Draper, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune, all of whom have publicly voiced concerns about the “physically unsustainable” demands of the tour. Rune’s Achilles tendon injury sustained in Stockholm serves as a stark illustration of the physical toll.
Pegula concluded her statement with a personal reflection, acknowledging the limitations imposed by the current system on her own career aspirations. “A long career is unfeasible at this pace. I have frequently enough said that I will stop when I become a mother,” she revealed.
