Jessica Pegula has weighed in on an issue that’s split opinions during this year’s Australian Open.
Attendance numbers have been higher than ever, and it was especially noticeable during Alexandra Eala’s opening-round loss on Court 6 at Melbourne Park.
Pegula, who’s already spoken out about a few different issues in Melbourne, was asked about the crowd sizes again after her straight-sets win in round two.
Jessica Pegula shares her thoughts on the crowd sizes at the Australian Open
Pegula, who faced her doubles partner McCartney Kessler in the second round, came away with a 6-0, 6-2 win over her fellow American on Rod Laver Arena.
After wrapping up the match in less than an hour, Pegula discussed how the larger crowds have felt from a player’s perspective during her post-match press conference.
While aware of the growing numbers at Melbourne Park, Pegula said she hadn’t felt much of a difference personally but still saw it as a positive sign for tennis overall.
“You know, I don’t even know what goes on out there because I haven’t had to like – I don’t walk and watch matches,” Pegula said. “But I did see some of the courts have like lines getting in and it seems really busy.”
“I saw some reports that it’s some of their busiest they have ever been and it’s packed and all that, which is, I think, great. Obviously it shows that the event is growing. The sport is growing. That’s amazing.”
“I think Eala was playing a match and there were people just wrapped around trying to get into her stadium.”
Pegula has played both of her singles matches on show courts but was knocked out early in doubles after losing her first-round match on Court 15.
Jessica Pegula reveals why she does not speak to her coaching box that much
The Australian Open made a change last year, bringing in coaching pods on court to give players even closer access to their teams during matches played on the three show courts.
Although many fans and players have embraced this new setup, Pegula said she’s never been one for too much back-and-forth with her team, though she did point out that the Australian Open’s approach is an improvement over other Grand Slams.
“Yeah. I have always kind of been like give me less,” explained Pegula. “I think less is more for me unless there is something really glaring, but I’m not the type that really wants to chat.”
“Usually if I’m in a good frame of mind, I think I’m a little bit more open to talk and just not necessarily tell me what to do. I don’t think I like that, but I think it’s more of looking out for certain patterns or plays or maybe cueing me on something I need to change.
“But I like it to be very problem-solving, kind of figuring things out. I don’t think I do well when someone just tells me directly what to do. So I communicate with them to keep it more of an open dialogue almost.
“I think that helps me get my brain thinking and problem-solving better out on the court and helps me see the court better when we have that type of communication.
“But it’s important now with people being so close here where the boxes are down on the court. Before, at other slams, they’re so far away you can’t hear them or know what they’re saying anyway.”
Pegula will now turn all her attention towards singles after bowing out early from doubles play and continues her campaign off strong form in Melbourne Park.
Pegula’s next opponent is world number 101 Oksana Selekhmeteva – a player she has never faced before in her career.
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