Aug 27, 2026 · 13 min
Pegula presses tennis on pay, policy and cultural reach
A Conversation with Tennis Star Jess Pegula on WTA Sex Testing & More
Jessica Pegula connects tennis’s biggest business and policy questions to the player perspective ahead of the US Open.
- 1Jessica Pegula explains why the US Open remains her favorite major and why repeating a runner-up finish is difficult.
- 2Players are seeking a fairer share of Grand Slam revenue, while Pegula leaves open the possibility of further action.
- 3Pegula describes WTA genetic sex testing as an ongoing policy update and credits celebrities with expanding tennis’s cultural reach.
Don't miss
Pegula links the WTA’s genetic sex-testing policy to an ongoing consultation and education process involving players.
The brief
Ahead of the US Open, Jessica Pegula explains why the New York major has become her favorite—and why following a runner-up performance creates a different kind of pressure.
Pegula says authentic partnerships begin with products she genuinely uses, while Kobe Bryant and Maria Sharapova illustrate how athletes can build thoughtful business portfolios.
The conversation turns to player compensation, with Pegula describing efforts to secure a fairer share of Grand Slam revenue and considering whether more action could come.
Pegula characterizes the WTA’s genetic sex-testing policy as an ongoing update shaped by consultation and player education, rather than a sudden development.
She also credits celebrities and influencers with making tennis more visible, fashionable and culturally relevant, before looking ahead to the Buffalo Bills’ season.
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