Jessica Pegula is known for her dominance on the tennis court, but her competitive spirit extends beyond the baseline. A passionate gamer, Pegula has embraced Call of Duty: Mobile to unwind and stay connected while traveling the world. With the much-anticipated return of Verdansk to Call of Duty: Warzone, we caught up with Pegula to discuss her love for gaming, how it intersects with her career as a professional athlete, and what excites her most about this latest update.
The Source: You’re known for your dominance on the tennis court, but how did you get into Call of Duty: Mobile? Was gaming always a part of your off-court routine?
Jessica Pegula: [Laughs] Yes, gaming has always been a part of my off-court routine—a way for me to decompress, take a break, and relax. I’ve always been into it. I played Call of Duty on and off while growing up, but during COVID, I got way more into it with my friends, my brother, my sister, and my husband. We formed our own little squad, and that’s how it really took off. I started playing more, even traveling with my PS4 for a while, but eventually, I switched to the mobile version since it’s much easier to play while I’m on the road.
What’s it like balancing your competitive mindset between being a professional athlete and the intense world of mobile gaming?
It’s funny because gaming is supposed to be relaxing, and in some ways, it is—you shut off your mind to everything else and get really immersed in what you’re doing. But at the same time, as an athlete, I’m super competitive. I always want to win, and when things aren’t going well in a game, it can be frustrating. There have definitely been some rage quits! But ultimately, it’s a great way to disconnect from tennis. When I’m playing, I can’t be thinking about matches or training, so it’s a nice mental break.
Do you see any similarities between playing high-stakes tennis matches and clutch moments in Call of Duty?
Absolutely! Especially when I’m playing with a squad—whether it’s my friends or family—we talk a lot of trash, but we also push each other to perform. If I’m the last one standing and have to clutch a win, I definitely feel the pressure. In those moments, you get nervous, tighten up, and sometimes don’t make the best decisions, just like in a crucial moment on the court. But when you pull off a squad win by yourself, it feels amazing—kind of like winning a big point in a match. I swear, I get just as nervous trying to close out a game as I do in a tennis tiebreaker! [Laughs]
You’ve broken barriers in tennis. Do you see this gaming partnership as another way to challenge stereotypes and highlight the multifaceted nature of women’s athletics?
Definitely. Gaming isn’t something traditionally associated with female athletes, especially in the tennis world. But the reality is, a lot of players game—probably more than people realize. It’s a great way to pass the time while traveling, stay connected to home, and just unwind. I think being involved in this space helps open a different kind of window into who we are outside of sports. I’ve already gotten great feedback from players who think it’s really cool. Mixing these two worlds—tennis and gaming—has been really fun, and I’m happy to be part of that shift.
If you could team up with any athlete or celebrity in a Call of Duty: Mobile squad, who would you choose and why?
Oh, that’s tough! [Pauses] I honestly have no idea. I’d want someone who actually knows how to play—Call of Duty isn’t the easiest game to just pick up. I’ll go with Josh Allen! [Laughs] I think he games, and I’ve heard he plays Call of Duty, so at least we’d have a chance. I wouldn’t want to pick someone totally random who has no idea what they’re doing.
The Source: Fantastic. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us!