Rise of Big Three good for women’s tennis, says Jessica Pegula

WTA Tour

Shahida Jacobs
May 29, 2023

Jessica Pegula believes Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have silenced talk about inconsistency in women’s tennis.

The trio have dominated the WTA Tour over the past year with Swiatek initially taking over the baton from Ashleigh Barty when the Australian retired in March last year before being joined by Sabalenka and Rybakina as the dominant women’s players.

Swiatek rose to No 1 last year and won the French Open and US Open while Rybakina won Wimbledon and both have continued their good form so far during the 2023 season.

Sabalenka struggled in 2022, but she has taken her game to a new level this year as she won her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open and rose to a career-high of No 2. The Belarusian has also won the most titles so far with three while Swiatek and Rybakina have each picked up two trophies.

They have formed their own Big Three with many hoping their rivalry will take the sport to a higher level.

Although Pegula is currently ranked No 3 ahead of Rybakina, the American feels Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina’s consistency have been brilliant.

“No, I’m not part of it (laughs), but hopefully, one day, I will be. Hopefully this year,” she said. “They’ve earned that right. They’ve been playing really solid tennis. Iga, we already know from last year. Aryna, I felt like broke through in Australia as far as like winning a Slam, but I think her results have always been up there. Then Elena at the end of last year as well.

“I mean, to see them being so consistent, I think they’ve earned that right. Obviously ranking-wise I’m still three, but I’m sure that could change. I could go up or down, whatever. It depends on results. I think it’s nice to see three girls dominating.”

Pegula, who kicked off her French Open campaign with a two-set win over fellow American Danielle Collins on Sunday, is impressed with the depth in women’s tennis.

“Hopefully, I can be part of that conversation, but I think either way, it’s still great for women’s tennis, especially because everyone always talks about inconsistency and all this stuff,” she added.

“I just tend to think it’s because we have a lot of really great depth. It’s nice to see them playing really, really good tennis, and I feel like it’s good for the sport as well.”

Aryna Sabalenka Elena Rybakina Iga Swiatek Jessica Pegula