In a surprising turn of events, professional tennis player Jessica Pegula has ended her five-year coaching partnership with David Witt. Witt, who expressed his shock at the decision, revealed that they had enjoyed a strong friendship during their time together.
Pegula's Australian Open journey came to an end in the second round, as she was defeated by Frenchwoman Clara Burel. Additionally, she withdrew from the doubles event in which she was set to compete alongside Coco Gauff. These setbacks may have played a role in her decision to part ways with Witt.
The coach, still reeling from the news, shared that he had never anticipated the split. Over the years, Witt and Pegula had established a strong bond and had set ambitious goals, including winning a Grand Slam title. While they fell short in achieving that specific objective, Witt believes that their collaboration has been incredibly positive overall.
When Pegula first began working with Witt, she held a ranking of 76th. Under his guidance, she clinched her first WTA title in 2019 at the Washington tournament. Since then, Pegula has seen significant progress in her career. In 2022, she reached the quarter-finals in three out of four Grand Slam tournaments, earning her a spot in the top 10 rankings. Her achievement continued in 2023, as she secured her third consecutive Australian Open quarter-final appearance.
Currently ranked fourth in the world, Pegula has accumulated an impressive record, with four singles titles and seven doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including two WTA 1000 titles. Witt's departure marks a major transition in Pegula's journey as she seeks to build upon her recent successes.
Reflecting on the time spent with Pegula, Witt expressed gratitude for the hard work they both invested in her career. He acknowledged how fortunate he has been to have worked with only two players in the last 15 years, including the legendary Venus Williams.
As Pegula moves forward, she will undoubtedly be on the lookout for a new coach who can guide her towards accomplishing her ultimate goal of winning a Grand Slam title. While Witt's departure may have come as a surprise, his belief in Pegula's potential hints at the bright future that lies ahead for the talented American. As fans eagerly await her next move, they will undoubtedly be rooting for Pegula to achieve the heights that her hard work and talent can undoubtedly reach.
