Witt says he was surprised to find out from Pegula that she would be going in another direction.
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday February 5, 2024
One of the more productive long-term player-coach partnerships on the WTA Tour has come to an end, as Jessica Pegula and David Witt have parted ways. Pegula and Witt began their partnership in the summer 2019, back when Pegula was without a WTA title, a trip beyond the second round of a major and a Top 70 ranking.
That would soon change as Pegula would rise over the ensuing four-plus years to become one of the most reliably elite players on tour. The Buffalo, NY native reached a career-high ranking of No.3 in the world and reached the quarterfinals at six different majors.
She won her first career title in her first week with Witt, at the 2019 Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
BREAKING NEWS: Jessica Pegula has ended her coaching relationship with David Witt.
The two had worked together since 2019, during which Pegula rose to as high as No. 3 in the world.
“It was a total surprise to me,” Witt tells https://t.co/5RlnxDB9Bj. ⤵️ https://t.co/UOn6KaDsb3
— TENNIS (@Tennis) February 5, 2024
The news came as a surprise to Witt, who was the former longtime coach of Venus Williams previously.
“It was a total surprise to me,” Witt told TENNIS.com, reflecting on a change that was made about two weeks ago. “Never saw it coming.”
Witt was named the 2022 WTA coach of the year for his work with Pegula, and said he has nothing but respect for the current World No.4.
“We’ve had a great friendship for five years, so it’s very tough. I really value my relationship with my player just as much as I love coaching. It’s a tough business. I’ve been pretty lucky that I’ve only been with two players the last 15 years.”