Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Jessica Pegula of the U.S. in action during her fourth round match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Kelly Defina
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Jessica Pegula of the U.S. in action during her fourth round match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Kelly Defina
World No.21 Jessica Pegula had to forcefully withdraw from the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup after getting exposed to COVID-19. For the USA team, this comes as an enormous blow since Pegula has been in sublime form over the last few months.
Jessica Pegula out of Billie Jean King Cup due to COVID-19 scare
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Through a tweet, Pegula announced about having contracted COVID-19 and expressed her disappointment over not being able to represent her country at the Billie Jean King Cup.
“Unfortunately due to a covid close contact & out of precaution, I won’t be able to play @BJKCup this year. I am upset I won’t get the chance to represent my country and that the year ends for me this way. I wish the team the best of luck and will be rooting from home!” wrote Pegula.
She married her long-time boyfriend, Taylor Gahagen, a few days back. Many popular guests attended the couple’s wedding, including this year’s Australian Open runner-up, Jennifer Brady. It is likely that she got exposed to COVID-19 at her wedding.
Unfortunately due to a covid close contact & out of precaution, I won’t be able to play @BJKCup this year. I am upset I won’t get the chance to represent my country and that the year ends for me this way. I wish the team the best of luck and will be rooting from home! 🇺🇸🤝 https://t.co/hcVi0Lc0rr
— Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) October 26, 2021
Shelby Rogers will replace Pegula in the USA team for the tournament which starts next week. The Finals, to be held in Prague, will feature 12 teams divided into four groups and each of the four group winners will qualify for the semifinals.
The USA team, which is the most successful team in Billie Jean King Cup’s history with 18 titles, is in Group-C alongside Spain and Slovakia this year. France, the defending champion, is in Group-A next to Russia and Canada.
The previous year’s runner-up, Australia, is in Group-B with Belarus and Belgium. Group-D comprises of the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 13, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Jessica Pegula from USA serves against Ons Jabeur from Tunisia (not pictured) during the quarterfinals at Stade IGA. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
The American’s exit from the Billie Jean King Cup also brings an end to her 2021 season. For the first time in her career, Pegula reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam at the 2021 Australian Open.
She finished as a quarterfinalist at the Dubai Open, Indian Wells, Italian Open, and a semifinalist during the Canadian Open. Owing to her consistent performances, Pegula achieved a career-high ranking of World No.21 this month.
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