Amanda Anisimova Praises Jessica Pegula's WTA Role, Hopes for 'Positive Change'

Anisimova expresses support for Pegula's work on the WTA's Tour Architecture Council and expects meaningful reforms to player health and schedule.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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American tennis player Amanda Anisimova recently spoke about the influential role her compatriot Jessica Pegula has played as a member of the WTA's Tour Architecture Council. Anisimova praised Pegula's efforts in her new leadership position and expressed hope that upcoming reforms will better protect player health and ensure a sustainable schedule on the women's tour.

Why it matters

The hectic tour schedule has long been a major concern among professional tennis players, with stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff speaking out about the strain of the demanding calendar. Anisimova's comments highlight the importance of player-driven initiatives to address these issues and drive positive change on the WTA Tour.

The details

The WTA established the Tour Architecture Council to address player concerns about the tour schedule and structure. Pegula, currently ranked World No. 5, was appointed to lead the initiative as the council's chair. Anisimova, who recently defeated Emma Raducanu, said she finds Pegula's efforts on the player council inspiring and acknowledged the difficulty of balancing leadership responsibilities with training and other commitments.

  • On March 9, 2026, Anisimova spoke about Pegula's role after her third-round win at the BNP Paribas Open.

The players

Amanda Anisimova

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked among the top 20 players in the world.

Jessica Pegula

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked World No. 5 and was appointed as the chair of the WTA's Tour Architecture Council.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I find it very inspiring that, you know, she's trying to make changes and help the players on tour, she's on the player council, and just trying to, you know, be a good leader in that sense. It is really difficult to balance with, you know, everything that you already have going, like commitments and training. Yeah, really happy that she's doing that for us.”

— Amanda Anisimova (profootballnetwork.com)

“Yeah, hopefully, you know, there can be better changes in terms of keeping the players healthy. I think that's very important. You know, it's important to make sure our careers are sustainable and that we can be comfortable going in and out of tournaments. Hopefully, there is a positive change in that direction.”

— Amanda Anisimova (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Anisimova is set to face 10th seed Victoria Mboko in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open, while Pegula will take on 26th seed Jeļena Ostapenko in the third round.

The takeaway

Anisimova's comments highlight the importance of player-driven initiatives to address the demanding tour schedule and ensure the long-term sustainability of professional tennis careers. Pegula's leadership role on the WTA's Tour Architecture Council is seen as a positive step towards driving meaningful reforms that prioritize player health and well-being.