Jessica Pegula may have lost the Miami Open final to Aryna Sabalenka, but she stole the show just moments later in a light-hearted and memorable exchange that has gone viral across the tennis world.
After Sabalenka’s dominant 7-5, 6-2 victory to claim her first Miami Open title, the two stars met for the traditional post-match celebrations. In a show of good sportsmanship, Sabalenka apologized to Pegula for the tough match and offered to split the winner’s prize money—a jest that Pegula met with laughter. But Pegula wasn’t done yet.
During the on-court interview, Sabalenka was presented with a celebratory margarita. In a cheeky and well-timed move, Pegula reached over and took the drink for herself, sipping it to the amusement of fans and commentators. The moment was dubbed “revenge served frozen” by fans online.
The gesture came amid what’s become one of the WTA’s most intriguing rivalries. Pegula and Sabalenka have faced off multiple times in high-stakes matches over the last two seasons, including the US Open 2024 semifinal, where Sabalenka also came out on top.
Despite the defeats, Pegula has maintained her position in the WTA Top 5 and continues to be a formidable opponent on the court. Her fun-loving and composed personality has made her a fan favorite, especially in moments like these where she brings levity and charm to competitive tennis.
Following the match, Pegula posted a photo of the margarita moment on Instagram with the caption: “If you can’t win the trophy, at least win the drink.”
The WTA tour now heads to Charleston, where both Pegula and Sabalenka are expected to compete. If the trend continues, fans can look forward to more high-level tennis—and maybe a few more cheeky moments.
