🎙️ Jessica Pegula gets real on confidence, clay & finding her edge: Episode 14

Defending Charleston champion Jessica Pegula joined The Big T this week, where Andrea Petkovic and Alison Riske-Amritraj broke down why some players thrive on clay—and why others struggle.

Episode 14 of The Big T, a Tennis Channel podcast, is available to listen on your favorite streaming platforms—click here for the latest drop.

You can also watch specific segments and bonus content from every episode on the Tennis Channel app—click here and start digging in!

🎧 In this week’s episode:

• Green Clay vs Red Clay: What’s the Difference (and Why It Matters)
• Special Guest: Jessica Pegula on Charleston, Clay Courts & Staying True to Herself
• The Biggest Surprises in Tennis So Far (2026 Awards)

🌿 From Charleston, with clay

The first Charleston episode of The Big T heads to one of the WTA Tour’s most historic stops to unpack one of tennis’ most misunderstood surfaces: green clay (Har-Tru).

The Credit One Charleston Open stands alone as the only WTA event played on this faster, lower-bouncing surface, marking the shift from hard courts to the European red clay swing.

Read More: Somewhere That’s Green: Donna Vekic kickstarts clay swing with Charleston return

What does that mean for American players like Jessica Pegula? And why is the biggest challenge of clay season not what you think? The Big T breaks it all down.

🟩 Green Clay vs. Red Clay: What’s the Difference (and Why It Matters)

As players transition from hard courts to clay, movement becomes the defining challenge—but what does that actually look like in today’s game?

The key difference between green clay (Charleston) and red clay (Europe) isn’t just speed; it’s how players move. Green clay is firmer and tougher to slide on, while red clay allows for more fluid, natural movement.

Ultimately, the biggest separator isn’t playing style: It’s whether a player grew up on the surface, and developed that movement early.

But that may be changing. As Petkovic puts it:

👉 “My hot take is that many hard-courters will play much better on clay in the coming 10 years because people have learned to slide on hard courts. When I came on tour, when you came on tour, that was not a thing.”

Riske-Amritraj captures the American sentiment post-Miami with a laugh: “How many weeks until grass?”

Once I just owned who I was, it helped me mature and grow into myself—not only as a person, but on the court. Jessica Pegula 💬

🎤 Special Guest: Jessica Pegula on Charleston, Clay Courts & Staying True to Herself

Jessica Pegula returns to Charleston with a deep personal connection—having learned the game nearby and now competing as the defending champion.

“It’s very full-circle every time I come back here.”

She discusses how she adapts her game to Charleston’s unique surface, already incorporating more variety and touch—including drop shots.

Pegula also opens up about a defining theme in her career: authenticity and self-trust. As a late bloomer, letting go of external expectations—and embracing her naturally calm personality—unlocked a new level in her performance.

“Once I just owned how I was, it helped me mature and grow into myself—not only as a person, but on the court… Tennis is just so individual. You have to go with what you think.”

But calm doesn’t mean passive. There’s even a bit of old-school fire she misses—arguing over ball marks on clay:

👀 “Sometimes I kind of miss fighting with the umpires… it brings a little drama.”

🏆 The Biggest Surprises in Tennis So Far (2026 Awards)

Later in the episode, Petkovic and Riske-Amritraj recap the 2026 season so far, handing out awards across a mix of very serious and sometimes hilarious categories.

Among the standout picks: Daniil Medvedev and Victoria Mboko earn Most Improved honors.

On Medvedev: “Bringing (Thomas) Johansson onto his team, to see him back winning in Dubai and his Indian Wells run, I love to see him back playing his best.”

A bold prediction? Mboko wins a Grand Slam this year.

😆 And for Biggest Surprise: “My biggest surprise award goes to Jack Draper’s haircut… Did we ever expect to know the shape of his head?”

Plus more awards, for Most Swagger, Most Exciting Future Ahead, and beyond.

📫 We Want to Hear From You!

Ask our hosts questions on the show! Email thebigt@tennischannel.com or call 844-678-BIGT

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