No matter what happens, the bond between American players Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff remains unbreakable. Although these two friends are no longer doubles partners on the court, their love and admiration for each other have only grown stronger over the years. Recently, when Pegula revealed the Christmas gift she plans for Gauff, it reminded people about Pegula’s intense affection for the 2023 US Open champion—not just as a colleague, but as a true friend.

There aren’t many days left for Christmas and the tennis stars already have made their plans for the festival including Jessica Pegula. This American player had an impressive season this year. She won the Canadian Open title and reached the finals of the US Open. After an incredible display of her talent, Pegula attended her best friend Madison Keys and Bjorn Fratangelo’s wedding and delighted the fraternity with her stunning looks. After that gala wedding, Pegula returned to practice with great hope for the 2025 Melbourne Major. Amidst her intense practice, she found some time to reveal the gift she would probably drop in Coco Gauff’s court as her secret Santa.

The Tennis Channel shared a video on X where many players like Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro revealed their Christmas plans, hobbies, and many more. In this video, the interviewer asked Pegula what she would give her colleague and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff this Christmas. “I don’t know. I just think of her. I think of like, Anime. And I really don’t know Anime, but maybe something Anime themed that would be cool,” said Pegula. This WTA star’s words highlight how deeply she cares for her colleagues and notices their favorite things. More than that, Pegula’s thought was appreciated that despite not knowing anime much, she wishes to buy something anime-related for Gauff.

Interstingly, Coco Gauff is a huge fan of anime. Not to forget how My Hero Academia often pops up in her statements as her favorite anime. In an interview with Time Magazine, Gauff highlighted Death Note and Demon Slayer in her frequent watchlist. Last year when she qualified for the US Open finals for the first time, she was asked how would she spend her time in the evening and the answer was quite predictable. Gauff said, “Press. Treatment. Watch some anime. No, literally today I watched like four or five episodes of ‘My Hero Academia’ before I played.” 

Following the player’s interest in anime, it felt like Pegula’s gift would be really appreciated by Coco. These two WTA stars have a history of rocking the doubles stage together. Not only that, they also played against each other in the 2024 WTA Tour Finals. Although Pegula was defeated, her opponent Coco Gauff expressed great happiness playing against a talented star like Jessica Pegula.

Coco Gauff found Jessica Pegula “tough” for her on the court

The 2023 US Open champion played against her friend and colleague Jessica Pegula at the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh. Although Gauff overpowered Pegula, she made a great revelation about her opponent. “Just staying solid. It’s a lot of altitude. I’m not used to it at all. Just trying to stay solid and she’s obviously tough for me to play but I’m happy to get through today. I root for her so hopefully we’ll play again in the final. She doesn’t give you nothing really. I feel like every point, I have to earn. So I think that’s just what I’ve learned the most,” said Gauff.

Her words echo profound admiration for her American colleague and how the latter’s playstyle taught many strategic moves to Gauff in terms of earning a point. Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula’s friendship brings a lot of hope to the fraternity. Despite rivalry, their friendship stands strong and highlights the sport brings people closer creating a bond based on the mutual passion for tennis. Do you agree with it?