Defending champion Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from the ATX Open in Austin due to a left knee injury, just days after winning her 10th WTA title in Dubai. The world No. 5 was replaced in the draw by Yuan Yue, with 18-year-old Iva Jovic now the top seed. Pegula, who turned 32 on the day of the announcement, expressed disappointment but plans to return to the event in the future.
Jessica Pegula, the top seed and defending champion at the ATX Open, pulled out of the tournament on February 24, 2026, her 32nd birthday, citing a left knee injury. She had been scheduled to face Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia in her opening match. "I am disappointed to not be able to defend my title in Austin," Pegula said. "I love this event and have such great memories from last year. Hopefully I can come back in the future."
The withdrawal follows an intense week at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where Pegula secured her 10th career WTA Tour title and fourth WTA 1000 crown by defeating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in the final. She won five matches in five days, including two back-to-back three-setters. Earlier in the season, Pegula reached the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open, losing to Elena Rybakina, and holds a 13-2 record overall, with her only defeats to Marta Kostyuk in the Brisbane semifinals and Rybakina in Melbourne. Her best Grand Slam result remains the 2024 US Open final loss to Aryna Sabalenka. She has now reached the semifinals at seven consecutive events since last year's US Open.
In Austin last year, Pegula dropped just one set en route to the title, beating McCartney Kessler 7-5, 6-2 in the final. Yuan Yue, the 2024 champion, enters as a lucky loser in Pegula's place, while Australian Open quarterfinalist Iva Jovic becomes the new top seed.
Off the court, Pegula was recently appointed chair of the WTA Tour Architecture Council, a 13-person group focused on calendar reform and player welfare improvements for potential 2027 implementation. WTA Chair Valerie Camillo highlighted the council's role in addressing physical and professional pressures. Former champion Andy Roddick praised Pegula as one of the best players without a Grand Slam title, calling her "super clever and smart" and "subtly hilarious."
Pegula is still scheduled to play in Indian Wells and Miami next, where she reached the final last year.