US Open 2023: Jessica Pegula calls out journalist over crying tweet, Tennis Podcast

The American professional confronted a journalist in her post-match press convention after a podcast account related to the media member tweeted that Pegula, 29, walked off the court docket in tears following her fourth-round loss to fellow American Madison Keys, the NY Put up experiences.

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Pegula, who misplaced 6-1, 6-3, clarified she was not emotional however as a substitute wiping her eye whereas exiting the court docket.

“Have been you guys those that tweeted that I cried once I walked off the court docket?” Pegula requested, to which the journalist stayed silent.

The person in query then confirmed they had been a part of “The Tennis Podcast,” which distributed the tweet.

“Okay, somebody stated I walked off the court docket in tears,” Pegula stated. “I most positively was not crying. I’m fairly certain that was from you guys. I don’t know when you tweeted it precisely.

“I positively wasn’t crying, so … It simply sounded actually unhappy. I used to be like, I positively wasn’t crying. I simply acquired waxed in like an hour. I acquired to go play doubles in an hour. I used to be like, Okay.”

Following the post-match press convention, “The Tennis Podcast” — which is hosted by tennis commentator David Regulation, Catherine Whitaker and Matt Roberts — issued a clarification on Twitter.

Regulation defined that he was the one who shared the preliminary tweet about Pegula showing upset after her U.S. Open ouster.

“Jessica Pegula clarified to us simply now that she was not crying as she left the court docket,” Regulation posted on the podcast’s Twitter account.

“I used to be on BBC commentary on the time, noticed her contact her eye as she left and likewise thought she was wiping a tear away, nevertheless it was simply one thing in her eye. Needed to set that straight.”

It was a big-name upset because the No. 3 Pegula was taken down by Keys, the U.S. Open runner-up in 2017.

Whereas praising shut pal Keys, Pegula — who’s the daughter of Payments homeowners Kim and Terry Pegula — admitted that she didn’t play her greatest tennis within the fourth-round match.

“I assumed Maddie performed lights out, I assumed, serving, returning, hitting the ball so clear,” Pegula stated. “I imply, she was portray the again of the road. There actually wasn’t that a lot I truthfully might have performed.

“I don’t suppose I performed my greatest, however on the similar time she by no means actually gave me an opportunity a lot to get again in it. Each time I felt like perhaps there was a window, simply wasn’t taking place.”

Keys added though it’s “robust” having to play a pal, “it’s all enterprise” after they step onto the court docket.

Keys, who’s ranked No. 17 on this planet, will tackle No. 9 seed Marketa Vondrousova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, within the quarterfinals.

This text initially appeared on the NY Put up and was reproduced with permission.

Initially printed as American Jessica Pegula calls out tennis journalist over ‘crying’ tweet