If you’ve been watching the WTA tour lately, you’ve probably noticed one name that just won't quit: Jessica Pegula. She’s become a fixture in the top ten, a human backboard who seems to get every single ball back. But as the 2026 season kicks off, everyone seems to be asking the same thing: how old is Pegula and how much longer can she keep this up?
Honestly, the answer usually surprises people.
Jessica Pegula was born on February 24, 1994. As of January 2026, she is 31 years old. She’ll be turning 32 next month. In a sport where we used to see teenagers winning Slams and retiring by 25, Pegula is basically the poster child for the "late bloomer" movement that has taken over modern tennis.
How Old Is Pegula Compared to Her Rivals?
Tennis isn't the young person’s game it used to be. Not really. While Coco Gauff is still in her early twenties and Iga Swiatek is mid-twenties, Pegula belongs to that veteran group that is proving 30 is the new 20.
Think about it. She didn't even break into the top 100 until she was 25. Most players are either stars or burnt out by then. For Jess, that was just the warm-up. She spent her early twenties battling hip and knee injuries that would’ve made most people just go, "Forget it, I’ll go work for the family business."
But she didn't.
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A Quick Look at the Birthdays
- Jessica Pegula: February 24, 1994 (31 years old)
- Aryna Sabalenka: May 5, 1998 (27 years old)
- Iga Swiatek: May 31, 2001 (24 years old)
- Coco Gauff: March 13, 2004 (21 years old)
She’s the "elder statesman" of the American top tier, and it shows in her game. There’s a certain calmness—sorta like she’s seen it all before. Because, well, she has.
Why 31 Is Actually Her Prime
People get obsessed with age, thinking 30 is some cliff you fall off. In tennis, it’s often where the mental side finally catches up to the physical.
Last year, in 2025, Pegula had a massive season. She bagged titles on all three surfaces—grass in Bad Homburg, clay in Charleston, and hard courts in Austin. You don't do that if you're "too old." She actually reached the US Open semifinals again in September 2025, proving that her runner-up finish in 2024 wasn't some fluke or lucky draw.
She’s currently sitting at World No. 6.
The thing about Pegula is her efficiency. She doesn't play that high-intensity, "grunt and scream" style that wears the body down. She plays flat, clean, and smart. It’s "business tennis." It’s probably why her husband, Taylor Gahagen, and her coaching team (Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein) have been able to keep her so consistent.
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The Billionaire Question (and why it matters)
You can't talk about how old Pegula is without mentioning why she’s still playing at all. Her dad, Terry Pegula, owns the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. He’s worth somewhere north of $7 billion.
Most 31-year-olds with a billionaire father would be on a yacht in the Mediterranean.
But Jess is in a damp locker room in a random city, taping her ankles for a first-round match. It’s weirdly inspiring. She’s built a personal net worth of about $13 million to $15 million purely from her own prize money and deals with Adidas and Yonex.
She’s not playing because she needs the paycheck. She’s playing because she actually wants to be there. That kind of motivation doesn't have an expiration date.
What’s Next for the 31-Year-Old?
Is there a Grand Slam title in the cards? That’s the big one.
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She’s made the quarterfinals or better at every single Major. She was a set away from the US Open title in 2024. The window is still wide open. Look at players like Angelique Kerber or Li Na—they won some of their biggest titles after turning 28 or 30.
Pegula’s 2026 schedule looks packed. She’s healthy, which is the main thing. After that left knee scare in late 2024, she’s been way more careful with her recovery.
If you're wondering how much longer she’ll stay on tour, just look at her recent stats. She's winning 75% of her matches this month. She’s still one of the best returners in the world, winning over 30% of her return games. As long as those feet keep moving, the age on her passport doesn't really matter.
How to Track Her Progress This Season
If you're following her journey this year, keep an eye on these specific markers:
- The February Birthday: Watch how she performs around her 32nd birthday. She often plays well in the Middle East swing (Doha and Dubai) during this time.
- The "Ready 24" Factor: She runs her own skincare brand. It’s literally designed for people with "active lifestyles." If she’s still glowing under the Australian sun, the products are working.
- Surface Flexibility: Since she finally won a big clay title in Charleston last year, watch her during the French Open. It used to be her "weak" spot, but not anymore.
Jessica Pegula is essentially proving that the peak of a professional athlete's career is moving later into life. She’s 31, she’s wealthy, she’s a business owner, and she’s still one of the top six tennis players on the planet. Honestly, she’s just getting started.
To stay updated on her latest match results and live rankings, you should bookmark the official WTA "Race to the Finals" leaderboard. It's the most accurate way to see if she's staying on track for another top-ten finish this year. You can also follow her "A Lending Paw" charity work if you want to see what she's doing for rescue dogs when she's not on the court.