Jessica Pegula Crashes Out in Wimbledon First Round
Jessica Pegula, the third seed and 2024 US Open finalist, suffered a stunning straight-sets loss to 116th-ranked Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the opening round of Wimbledon on Tuesday. The American was overwhelmed 6-2, 6-3 in just 58 minutes on Court Two, marking her earliest exit at a Grand Slam in recent memory.
“It’s probably the worst result I’ve had all year,” Pegula admitted after the match. “I haven’t lost in the first round of a Slam for a long time. That sucks.”
What Happened on Court Two
From the start, Pegula appeared out of rhythm. Heavy strapping on her right knee and a visibly stiff neck suggested the American wasn’t fully fit. But it was Cocciaretto’s aggressive shot-making and relentless pressure that stole the spotlight.
- Pegula won just 48% of her first serve points
- She committed 19 unforced errors
- Cocciaretto broke her serve four times
“She played incredible tennis,” Pegula said. “Do I think I played the best match ever? No. But I wasn’t that bad. It was just her day today.”
The Italian, just 24 years old, was fearless. She dictated rallies early, moved fluidly on the slow grass surface, and never let Pegula settle. Cocciaretto seemed unfazed by her opponent’s higher ranking or experience in major finals.
Why This Loss Hurts More Than Others
For Pegula, this wasn’t just another loss — it was an unsettling trend. Since reaching the US Open final last year, she hasn’t made it past the quarter-finals in any of the three Grand Slams that followed. This defeat was different though. It came in the opening round, against a relatively unheralded opponent, at a tournament where she had hopes to finally go deep.
“I feel like I’m playing as well as I was at the end of last year,” she explained. “But it’s hard to put it all together over two weeks. Sometimes it doesn’t align.”
Cocciaretto’s Breakthrough Moment
For Elisabetta Cocciaretto, this win marks one of the highest points of her career. Her only other victory over a top-10 player came under less intense circumstances. To defeat the world number three — and do it with such authority — is significant.
She has never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon, and her deepest Grand Slam run was a fourth-round appearance at last year’s French Open. This performance suggests she’s ready to rewrite her narrative.
A win like this doesn’t just instill belief; it also puts her on the radar with both fans and opponents. The question now is — can she follow it up?
Knee Trouble and Mental Blocks
Pegula didn’t make excuses, but she acknowledged that both her knee and neck were causing issues. “I’m managing the knee and I have a bit of a neck injury as well. But I feel good overall. That’s why it’s disappointing,” she said.
The American’s struggles on grass are no secret. Despite her solid performances on hard courts, she’s never made it past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. The surface seems to test her movement and comfort more than others.
“The most frustrating thing was I wasn’t able to figure it out, which I feel I should be able to,” she added.
What This Means For Pegula’s Season
This early loss doesn’t just hurt Pegula’s Wimbledon ambitions — it casts a shadow over her Grand Slam season. With only the US Open left this year, the pressure is back on. Can she recover by then?
Her consistency over the past 18 months suggests she will. But the mental burden of another missed opportunity could weigh heavily.
Tough Draw or Tough Day?
Was this about Cocciaretto rising to the occasion or Pegula falling short? Probably a bit of both.
The Italian was sharp, aggressive, and unafraid. But Pegula couldn’t muster the intensity usually expected from someone of her caliber. The serve lacked bite. The rallies seemed forced. As she said herself — she simply couldn’t “figure it out.”
Fans may point to the conditions — the humidity, the slow court. Others might chalk it up to the off-day every professional has eventually. Either way, an opportunity is gone, and London won’t be the site of Pegula’s Grand Slam breakthrough.
What Now for Cocciaretto?
With a huge momentum win, Cocciaretto moves into the second round with confidence and composure. She’ll face less scrutiny than other seeds — but she’s certainly raised expectations overnight.
Grass isn’t traditionally her strongest surface, but if she continues this form, she could shake up the women’s draw further. For fans of Italian tennis, her victory is a bright spot.
The Wimbledon Shake-Up
Every year has its Grand Slam surprises. This one came early at Wimbledon 2024 — a straight-sets upset that no one saw coming. The third seed is out. The draw is wide open. The story of this year’s tournament might just belong to the underdogs.
And that’s part of what keeps this game compelling — even the most predictable stars can stumble, and unknown challengers can rise out of nowhere. For Pegula, it’s a moment to regroup. For Cocciaretto, it’s a moment to dream bigger.
