“You just want to kind of add a little bit, little by little. And that can be really hard to do,” said Jessica Pegula when she announced the end of her 5-year-long partnership with coach David Witt. In a decision that shocked many, the American tennis star joined forces with Mark Knowles and, soon enough, the changes started to reflect in her performance. As with any major shift in a player’s journey, the tennis world was quick to weigh in on Pegula’s decision. Now, Roger Federer‘s ex-coach Paul Annacone is sharing his thoughts on this exciting transition.
Paul Annacone, who was once the mentor of Roger Federer, recently weighed in on Jessica Pegula’s coaching shuffle during an episode of Tennis Channel Live. Annacone, who knows the demands and subtleties of the game at the highest level, praised Pegula’s former coach, David Witt, acknowledging the positive impact Witt had on her career trajectory. “Yeah, David Witt did a great job for Jess. It was a great partnership,” Annacone remarked, highlighting the long-term collaboration that began in 2019.
Under Witt’s mentorship, Pegula transitioned from being an underdog to a formidable force in the world of tennis. When Witt joined her team, Pegula hadn’t won a single WTA title or made it to the Top 75. But almost immediately, the tides began to turn in her favor. Together, they won the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., marking a crucial turning point in Pegula’s career—a partnership that began with an iconic victory that included a win over then-66th-ranked Iga Swiatek. Witt helped guide Pegula to six quarterfinals in seven Grand Slam tournaments starting in 2022, including her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut at the Australian Open 2021.
Despite the success, Pegula and Witt amicably decided to part ways in January 2024. Annacone sees this coaching change as a natural evolution of any successful player’s journey. “In every evolution of a coach-player relationship, there comes a time when it just runs its course,” Annacone said in the interview. The involvement of Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein as Pegula’s new co-coaches brought fresh dynamics into the equation. Annacone expressed his enthusiasm for the new coaching arrangement, emphasizing that “there’s no harm, no foul, and a terrific opportunity for Mark’s squad to get involved, to see both Marks there helping her this year.” He believes that Knowles and Merklein’s involvement could be instrumental for Pegula’s growth and stability as a player.
This coaching shakeup began yielding impressive results almost instantly. Pegula successfully defended her title in Toronto, reached the finals in Cincinnati, and broke new ground by advancing to her first Grand Slam final at the US Open, where she faced Aryna Sabalenka. Annacone’s perspective on this change remains optimistic; he trusts in Pegula’s choices and foresees her team producing great results as they enter the 2025 season.
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While the results post-transition were promising, the decision itself was not without its emotional struggles for Pegula. Reflecting on parting ways with Witt, Pegula opened up about her motivations. “I just felt like I needed something different,” she explained. “I’ve just turned 30, so I feel like I’m getting to that point where I am maybe more near the end of my career phase, so I just kind of needed to make some tough decisions to try something different.” This openness reveals the pressures faced by an athlete of her caliber—trying to balance comfort with the drive for continued improvement and refusing to settle despite considerable success.
Annacone, too, acknowledged the significance of such shifts. He referred to Pegula’s coaching transition as “something that can help add to her growth” and he praised her decision-making prowess. According to him, coaching shifts don’t imply the end of a chapter—sometimes they signify new and bigger opportunities.
As Pegula continues her journey with her new coaching team, all eyes are on her to see if these changes will carry her even further. Pegula’s recent achievements reflect her belief in a “new direction,” and her ability to take on challenges—including the courage to step away from a successful partnership—makes her a compelling figure in tennis today. Her story is an inspiring reminder of how even in an established career, players need to evolve, challenge norms, and strive for excellence. Fans eagerly await to see what Pegula and her team can achieve as they move forward, facing both the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.
