Jessica Pegula’s Unique Journey: From Subway Rides to Career Shifts

In a world where professional athletes often enjoy the luxury of private cars and VIP services, Jessica Pegula, the world’s No. 6 tennis player, has taken a different path—quite literally. Instead of relying on car services or shuttles, Pegula, a five-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, chose to use New York City’s public transit during the US Open. Her decision to commute like an ordinary New Yorker not only highlights her down-to-earth nature but also reflects a broader theme in her career: a willingness to embrace change and take the road less traveled.

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Pegula’s unusual choice of transportation was captured in an Instagram reel that showed her hopping on the “W” subway train from her Manhattan hotel and later transferring to the “7” train at Queensboro Plaza, effortlessly blending in with the crowd. “My agent makes fun of me for not wanting to take a nice car,” Pegula shared in the video. She explained that after a grueling hour-and-a-half car ride to Flushing during a previous tournament, she decided to ditch the luxury ride for something more practical. “I was ready to jump out of the car and walk to the site,” she joked.

But Pegula didn’t stop at just one public transit adventure. Another post on her social media documented her taking the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) back from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to Manhattan. Despite her global fame, Pegula humorously noted, “And not one person recognized me hahaha.”

This willingness to take a different path is not just evident in her commuting choices but also in her professional decisions. Earlier this year, Pegula made headlines when she parted ways with her longtime coach, David Witt, after an early exit at the Australian Open. Witt had been a key figure in Pegula’s rise from a player just inside the Top 100 to the world No. 3. Under his guidance, she won her first tour-level title in Washington, D.C., in 2019 and reached the quarterfinals of three Grand Slam tournaments in 2022, including the US Open. Witt’s efforts were recognized when he was named the WTA Coach of the Year in 2022, and the duo enjoyed significant success at the 2023 WTA Finals, where Pegula defeated top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff to reach the final.

Despite their accomplishments, Pegula felt it was time for a change. “David and I obviously had a lot of success, and what we were able to accomplish together was pretty amazing,” she said in an interview at Indian Wells in March. But at 30 years old, Pegula realized she was at a different stage in her life and career. “I just felt like I needed to take some chances… I just didn’t want to look back and be like, ‘Maybe I should have tried someone else, or tried something different.’”

To move forward, Pegula brought in Mark Knowles, a former world No. 1 doubles player with coaching experience, and Mark Merklein, a former University of Florida coach, to guide her. However, the new collaboration faced challenges from the start. In the spring, Pegula suffered a rib injury that forced her to miss the entire European clay season, including the French Open. The injury was a setback, but Pegula’s decision to explore new coaching options was a testament to her desire to keep growing, even if it meant navigating uncharted territory.

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Pegula’s approach to her career—whether it’s choosing the subway over a private car or making bold coaching changes—reveals a mindset that values growth and adaptability. She isn’t afraid to step outside her comfort zone, even when it involves risks. As she continues to navigate the highs and lows of professional tennis, Pegula’s openness to new experiences and her willingness to forge her own path will likely be key factors in her future success.

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, where predictability often reigns supreme, Jessica Pegula stands out not just for her talent on the court but for her willingness to embrace the unpredictable—whether it’s riding the subway or taking a chance on a new coach. Her journey is a reminder that sometimes, the road less traveled is the one that leads to the most rewarding destinations.