Jessica Pegula shocked fans on November 7, 2024, by announcing her withdrawal from the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she was scheduled to face Iga Swiatek.
The World No. 6 American explained that an injury, which started as a minor issue, worsened during her recent matches, leaving her unable to compete. Pegula’s decision came after back-to-back losses in the tournament to Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova, which ended her hopes of advancing from the group stage.
In a statement on X, Pegula expressed regret for missing her final match, saying:
“What started as a really small issue flared over the last two matches and I just can’t continue tomorrow. I’m sorry to the fans and tournament. I really had a great week of prep and had high hopes here but it just wasn’t meant to be.”
She also thanked the local fans for their warm reception in Riyadh.
Pegula’s withdrawal has led to Russian player Daria Kasatkina stepping in to face Swiatek in her place. Despite her struggles in Riyadh, 2024 has been a solid year for Pegula, with notable performances including final appearances at the US Open and Cincinnati Open, along with victories at the National Bank Open and Ecotrans Ladies Open.
