Pegula supports Djokovic's call for more entertainment in tennis

Jessica Pegula agrees with Novak Djokovic’s suggestion to make tennis more fun and appealing to a new generation.

American Jessica Pegula speaks to the press after winning her second-round match in the women's singles at the Australian Open on January 15, 2025, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images

By Eva Krafczyk and Randy Ahmad

American tennis star Jessica Pegula has expressed her support for Novak Djokovic’s recent comments on making tennis more entertaining. After his third-round win at the Australian Open, Djokovic suggested that tennis should evolve to become “more fun” and less formal, even proposing the inclusion of dancers during breaks to engage the younger generation of fans.

Pegula, currently ranked number six in the world, agreed with Djokovic’s sentiments, stating that tennis has traditionally been perceived as a “stuffy” and “uppity” sport, and that the sport could benefit from a shift toward greater personality and excitement.

Reflecting on her own experiences and observations, Pegula pointed out that the atmosphere of tennis could be vastly improved by incorporating more entertainment elements. “It’s always kind of been a little bit of a stuffy, uppity kind of sport,” she said after her surprise loss to unseeded Olga Danilovic at the Australian Open on Friday.

“At the end of the day, we’re entertainers,” Pegula added. “I think it can help the sport having more personality.” She emphasized that tennis players, like athletes in other sports, should embrace their roles as entertainers, both on and off the court.

Pegula’s comments come amid a broader conversation about how tennis can evolve to appeal to younger audiences. While other sports, such as the NFL, have fully embraced the entertainment value of their events, tennis has been slower to adapt to such ideas. Pegula, whose father owns the Buffalo Bills, is no stranger to the spectacle surrounding major sporting events. The NFL is renowned for its elaborate halftime shows and entertainment during game breaks, something that tennis has yet to fully adopt.

“Other sports have done it. They’ve done it really well,” Pegula noted. “It’s just something that hasn’t fully crossed over into tennis yet, but I think it would be good for the sport.”

However, Pegula also acknowledged that social media plays a significant role in shaping the behavior of players today. With the constant scrutiny that comes from social media platforms, players may be hesitant to fully express their personalities. “Nowadays it’s maybe tougher with social media that everything kind of comes back to haunt you,” Pegula said.

Despite this, she called for players to be more relaxed and embrace the opportunity to showcase their individuality. “Back in the day when social media wasn’t around, you had so much more personality in tennis, probably because those things didn’t stick with you forever,” Pegula explained. “I think the more personality, the better.”

Changing the culture of tennis

Pegula’s comments reflect a growing desire within the tennis community to evolve the sport beyond its traditional, sometimes rigid, image. The idea of infusing more personality, flair, and fun into the game could help to make it more relatable to fans, particularly those from younger generations.

Tennis, with its rich history and prestigious tournaments, has long been associated with formal attire and decorum. However, as fans become increasingly accustomed to the high-energy atmosphere of other sports, there is a rising call for tennis to follow suit and inject more excitement and vibrancy into its events.

Djokovic’s suggestion of incorporating dancers or other forms of entertainment during breaks is just one way to make the sport more engaging. Other ideas could include enhancing the fan experience through music, interactive elements, or even more casual and playful moments between players and the audience.

As tennis continues to adapt to the changing landscape of sports entertainment, it is clear that figures like Djokovic and Pegula are leading the charge for a more exciting and dynamic future. By embracing personality and fun, the sport could attract new fans while maintaining its traditional appeal.

For Pegula, the balance between entertainment and performance is key. “I think it’s just about embracing the entertainment side, but still focusing on the tennis,” she concluded. “You can have a lot of fun with it, but still keep the integrity of the sport.”

As the sport evolves, it’s clear that injecting more personality into tennis could be the key to keeping it relevant in an increasingly entertainment-driven world. With players like Pegula and Djokovic advocating for change, it’s likely that tennis will continue to evolve in exciting new directions.