Top-Ranked Pegula Withdraws from ATX Open on Birthday

Defending champion and WTA Players' Council chair Jessica Pegula pulls out of Austin tournament on her 32nd birthday.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:38pm

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Jessica Pegula, the defending champion and No. 1 seed at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, has withdrawn from the tournament on her 32nd birthday. Pegula, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, is also the chair of the newly created WTA Players' Council, which was established to improve the structure of the WTA Tour.

Why it matters

Pegula's withdrawal underscores the challenges professional tennis players face in balancing their competitive schedules with leadership roles and responsibilities off the court. As a top player and influential voice in the sport, Pegula's absence from the ATX Open will shift the tournament dynamics and be closely watched by fans and the tennis community.

The details

Pegula, who won the ATX Open in 2025, has a 13-2 match record so far this year, including a title victory at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February. Her withdrawal from the Austin tournament comes as a surprise, leaving the event without its top-seeded player.

  • Pegula last played a match on February 21, 2026, defeating world No. 9 Elina Svitolina in the Dubai final.
  • Pegula announced her withdrawal from the ATX Open on her 32nd birthday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Jessica Pegula

A top-5 ranked American professional tennis player who is the defending champion and No. 1 seed at the ATX Open. She also chairs the newly created WTA Players' Council, which aims to improve the structure of the WTA Tour.

Elina Svitolina

A Ukrainian professional tennis player ranked No. 9 in the world, whom Pegula defeated in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Pegula's withdrawal from the ATX Open highlights the challenges top professional tennis players face in balancing their competitive schedules with leadership roles and responsibilities off the court. As the chair of the WTA Players' Council, Pegula's influence extends beyond her own playing career, shaping the future of women's tennis.