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A bat stopped Coco Gauff from serving during her doubles match alongside Jessica Pegula at the 2023 WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico.
Gauff and Pegula took on the German-Russian pair of Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva in an important Mahahual Group doubles tie on Friday, November 3. Three pairs have already qualified for the semifinals, which means one spot is up for grabs for the pairs of the Mahahual Group.
The American duo secured the opening set comfortably. However, the match was suspended due to rain at 1-1 in the second set. Interestingly, Gauff and Pegula are scheduled to face each other in the singles semifinals in Cancun on Saturday, November 5.
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All the players competing at the Cancun tournament have faced numerous adversities so far, including uneven bounce on the courts, strong winds, and rain delays. But the hindrance during the doubles battle on Friday, courtesy a bat, was perhaps the most unusual.
The match was briefly paused as a bat flew onto the court, stopping Gauff from serving at 0-15 in the opening game. The animal enjoyed an extended flight inside the outdoor stadium and even got close to the 19-year-old at one point.
A video of the incident can be watched below:
"Next year, I think Coco Gauff and I will probably play less doubles; we want to try and focus on singles" - Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula recently suggested that her doubles partnership with Coco Gauff will take a backseat soon. In a conversation with the Tennis Channel, Pegula said both she and Gauff wish to redirect their efforts toward singles events.
"I played like 120 matches like combined with everything. And so yeah next year, I think Coco and I will probably play less doubles; we want to try and focus on singles," the 29-year-old said.
Pegula speculated that Gauff felt the same way as well, given her recent form on the tour.
"Especially with Coco Gauff winning US Open, you know, I'm sure she's set on really doing well at the Slams, so we'll see," Jessica Pegula added.
The 2023 Canadian Open winner hinted that the Paris Olympics might be the last tournament in which she plays doubles with her compatriot.
"We definietly want to play Olympics next year. I think so, maybe once we get past that we'll rethink about it but yeah. It's just gonna happen, so maybe," Pegula said.
The Americans are currently the top-ranked doubles team on the women's circuit. However, the duo have yet to win a doubles match at the 2023 WTA Finals.
