Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff 

Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff 

Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

Jessica Pegula may be the top ranked American at the US Open but the third seed says she is happy to let red-hot compatriot Coco Gauff carry some of the burden of expectation as they bid to end the country's Grand Slam drought.

World number three Pegula and number six Gauff arrived in New York having won WTA 1000 titles to spark hopes of a first American women's major champion since Sofia Kenin lifted the trophy at the 2020 Australian Open.

Pegula cruised to a 6-2 6-2 opening win over Camila Giorgi on Tuesday - a day after Gauff rallied to beat Laura Siegemund - and the 29-year-old said that she did not mind the focus being on her frequent doubles partner at the tournament.

"I don't know. Maybe it's good," Pegula said with a smile. "Coco can take it, that pressure, not me. I don't know. I mean, I don't mind. She's been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention.

"She's obviously very young. She's been playing really well. She's super electric to watch, loves the crowd and New York. No, I don't really have a preference. Either way I think I want to continue to win matches and do the best that I can.

"It's nice that even though I'm the top American, I can't imagine carrying a ton of pressure if it was only me. It's nice that there are a lot of us that are doing well and that have chances to go deep here."

Pegula said the current crop of US women's players - 13 of whom are in the top 100 - were genuine friends and driving each other towards success, just like their male colleagues.

"I think we've embraced the fact that though we're all competing for rankings and tournaments ... even if you play each other you want to beat each other, you're pushing each other at the same time," Pegula said.

"I think that's something the guys are doing well with (Taylor) Fritz, (Tommy) Paul, (Frances) Tiafoe. You see them pushing each other and they're all going higher and higher."



Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Replaces Line Judges with Technology

(FILE) - A line judge follows the action on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 30 June 2016 (re-issued 09 October 2024). EPA/HANNAH MCKAY
(FILE) - A line judge follows the action on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 30 June 2016 (re-issued 09 October 2024). EPA/HANNAH MCKAY
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Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Replaces Line Judges with Technology

(FILE) - A line judge follows the action on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 30 June 2016 (re-issued 09 October 2024). EPA/HANNAH MCKAY
(FILE) - A line judge follows the action on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 30 June 2016 (re-issued 09 October 2024). EPA/HANNAH MCKAY

Wimbledon is replacing line judges with electronic line-calling, the latest step into the modern age by the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament.
The All England Club announced Wednesday that technology will be used to give the “out” and “fault” calls at the championships from 2025, eliminating the need for human officials to make them, The Associated Press reported.
Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”
“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
The move makes the French Open the only Grand Slam tournament without some form of electronic line-calling. The Australian Open and US Open already had eliminated line judges and only have chair umpires on court.
Line judges at Wimbledon were dressed in famously elegant uniforms and, for traditionalists, were part of the furniture at the All England Club.
Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation.”
“Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, "and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out.
At the US Open, there has been no line judges — and only chair umpires — since 2021, with Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling used for all courts.
The All England Club also said Wednesday that the women's and men’s singles finals will be scheduled to take place at the later time of 4 p.m. local time on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively — and after doubles finals on those days.
Bolton said the moves have been made to ensure the day of the finals "builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”