All Eyes on Jessica Pegula

By Ricky Boone

As the 2023 Charleston Open approaches, all eyes are on Jessica Pegula—and with good reason. Known for her polished baseline game and unwavering consistency, Pegula arrives in Charleston as a formidable contender for the title.

Pegula’s strengths are tailor-made for the green clay of Charleston. Her flat, penetrating groundstrokes neutralize heavy topspin, while her footwork allows her to slide and recover with smooth efficiency. What really makes her a threat, though, is her mental steel—she rarely gives away free points and thrives in pressure situations, a must on the South Carolina clay where patience and precision are everything.

Heading into Charleston, Pegula has quietly put together some of her best clay results to date. She’s not only reaching later rounds at premier events but also showcasing a refined strategy: mixing sharp angles, well-timed drop shots, and crafty transitions to the net. That mix keeps opponents off-balance, unable to settle into rhythm.

Another key aspect of Pegula’s threat: her serve. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, it’s remarkably reliable landing a high percentage of first serves, which sets up shorter points and keeps her plans on pace. That tactical edge could loom large in tight matches.

In Charleston’s clay-court cauldron, where long rallies and strategic grit are rewarded, Jessica Pegula checks every box. If her form holds and she channels that silent confidence into crisp, controlled tennis, the trophy could very well be hers. Charleston better watch out—Pegula is coming.

Ricky Boone is a published author and tennis columnist.