Jessica Pegula has ended her five-year partnership with coach David Witt

The world’s number five Jessica Pegula (USA) has ended her five-year partnership with her coach David Witt in a big surprise split.

The tennis player was already eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open after losing to Clara Burel (France) and withdrew from the doubles, where she was supposed to partner with Cori Coco Gauff.

“It was an absolute surprise for me, I didn’t expect it. We’ve had a great friendship for 5 years, so it’s tough”, said the coach David Witt. “She’s on the verge of winning a Grand Slam. That was our goal. Obviously we didn’t achieve that, but everything else was great”, added the tennis specialist.

Jessica Pegula, 29, was ranked 76th before working with David Witt, who helped her win her first WTA title in 2019 in Washington.

The American reached the quarter-finals of three of the four Grand Slams in 2022 and broke into the Top 10 after also making the last eight at Roland Garros last year. She won four singles titles and seven more in doubles.

“I’m lucky I’ve only been with two players in the last 15 years”, added David Witt, who also coached Venus Williams.