Coco Gauff: "I'm more fiery, Jessica Pegula is more cool"

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula's on-court relationship and matching mindset have been key to their recent success in the women's doubles. While their winning mentality compliments each other, Gauff has divulged the vast differences when it comes to the duo's personalities.

Gauff and Pegula faced Taylor Townsend and Leylah Fernandez in the women's doubles final at the 2023 Miami Open on Sunday (April 2). The Americans won the opening set in a 14-point tie-break before dominating proceedings in the second set to register a 7-6(6), 6-2 win.

After securing their second doubles title this season, the duo were ecstatic, having achieved the feat in front of their home crowd. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gauff stated that it was "special" to have won the title in front of their families.

"We're super excited. This tournament is one of those tournaments that you grow up watching, and I think it feels even more special than some of the other 1000s we won. Doing it in front of our family, it means a lot," she said.

Meanwhile, reflecting on their pre-match preparations, Gauff disclosed that the duo engage in vastly different warmup rituals.

"I think it's always like that every tournament. I do more hopping around, and you [Pegula] do more like band stuff, I feel like," she said.

Gauff claimed that their distinct approaches are a reflection of their contrasting personalities, stating that she is more "fiery" compared to her rather "cool" counterpart.

"I think it mimics how we are emotionally. She's more cool; I'm more fiery. It works for our personalities," she added.

Agreeing with Gauff, Pegula elaborated on the pair's warm-up routine.

"I do a lot of bands. We have very different warmups. They're very different. Also sometimes I'm in the gym, and I don't do much until I come out in the field and then I only do a few things," Pegula said.

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How Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula fared in singles at Miami Open 2023

Both Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula entered the 2023 Miami Open among the favorites to go all the way. But it wasn't to be for either of them.

Gauff endured a disappointing third-round exit at the hands of Anastasia Potapova, 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-2.

Pegula fared slightly better. She defeated Potapova in the quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal showdown against Elena Rybakina. However, the American struggled to keep up with the in-form Kazakh, going down in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-4.

Pegula will next be in action at the Charleston Open, whereas Coco Gauff has decided to give the WTA 500 event a skip.