Jessica Pegula says that “it sucks” that she has to play compatriot Shelby Rogers in the first round of the US Open.

Rogers has announced that this will be her final US Open and could have her last match at Flushing Meadows against a friend.

Pegula was saddened by Rogers being put in a position where she feels she has to retire early and compared that situation to Danielle Collins hanging up her racket at the end of this season.

Rogers and Pegula first shared the court as juniors and the latter said that it would at least be something of a full circle moment.

“It sucks having to play her,” Pegula said ahead of the US Open.

“She kind of told me before, and I didn’t know if she was going to announce it or not. Then I saw, obviously, I think this morning she announced it. I saw her this morning, too. It’s crazy to me that, like, obviously I know she had a lot of injuries, but to see people, like, my age retiring, her, Danielle, it’s sad.

“Yeah, Shelby and I go way back. We were battling at Georgia, like, Southern sectional 16-and-unders and now we’re playing in the US Open. Obviously, she’s had amazing results here too and has been a top player.

“But it’s pretty crazy and I think cool in the same way to say that we were playing at all these crazy sectional tournaments. And, yeah, being able to end your career at the US Open and play each other, it’s pretty amazing when you look at it that way.

“Yeah, it’s a bummer. I don’t like having to play any American, especially here. Yeah, that part kind of sucks, but at the same time, at least it comes full circle in some way or another. I hope she’s looking forward to what’s coming after.”

Pegula said that she doesn’t know if her great form leading into the tournament is an indicator that she will do well at the year’s final Grand Slam.

The American No 2 claimed the Canadian Open title before ending as the runner-up in Cincinnati last week.

US Open News

Novak Djokovic injury fears raised before US Open after Holger Rune practice confusion

Iga Swiatek ‘vulnerable’ verdict issued as the Pole is told to copy Rafael Nadal tactics at US Open

“I feel like it does and then it also doesn’t,” Pegula said when quizzed on whether or not form points to who might come out on top.

“We’ve seen people all the time surprise us every single week, every single tournament, every slam. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason why someone maybe does well and then there are some people you see they’re having momentum or see they’re playing well here or they have a good draw or good matchups and they do really well.

“So I don’t know if it really matters. I think sometimes it doesn’t make any sense. So yeah, I think it’s a little tricky this year people coming from Paris. People are just a little bit maybe, I don’t know, not as prepared, just with the surface change as well.

“But I don’t know. I think once you get here and if you’ve had good results here especially or you like the hard courts or whatever it is, I think the players that, you know, play well here will find a way to do that I think no matter what.

“Yeah, I think it just, I don’t know, I guess is my answer.”

READ NEXT: The American player who has impressed Taylor Fritz