Jessica Pegula becomes fifth player to qualify for WTA Finals

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• WTA Tennis

Jessica Pegula has sealed a spot for this year's WTA Finals in Cancun. Pegula, 29, is set to make her second appearance at the prestigious season-ending tournament. Last year, Pegula made her debut at the WTA Finals - the American went 0-3 in Fort Worth and failed to make it past the group stage.

Also last year, Pegula played doubles with Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals and their run ended in the group stage. This year, Pegula will again play in the WTA Finals singles tournament, as well as in the WTA Finals doubles event with Gauff.

Before Pegula, Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and qualified for the WTA Finals singles event.

Pegula on breaking out late

Pegula, who will be turning 30 in February, broke into the top-100 for the first time in her career in 2019.

Now, Pegula is well-established as one of the best players in the game. During this year's US Open, Pegula explained why she didn't really have much success early in her career. "When I look back at some of my old matches when I was younger, I'm, like, what was I even thinking.

I don't know what I was doing, because now it's so much different. Honestly, I probably just played really stupid when I was younger. I just didn't play smart at all. I was completely the opposite of what everyone thinks I am now, which is hilarious," Pegula said at the US Open.

Also at the US Open, Pegula addressed those who still doubt her. "I see people online and they're like, 'How is she No 3?' And I'll see someone reply, 'Because she just wins a crap-ton of matches.' I just don't lose in the first round like other girls.

Maybe they win a 1000 or a Slam, but I also made the quarters of the last 10 tournaments. It gets lost in the mix because people prioritize one thing, but I think it's an achievement that I've been able to be so consistent for a couple of years now," Pegula said.