Jessica Pegula split was a 'shock' says former coach David Witt

Jessica Pegula ended her coaching arrangement with David Witt in the early part of 2024, after a fruitful five years together which saw the American soar up the rankings.

David Witt has reflected on his time as Jessica Pegula's coach and admitted his "shock" at the former world number three's decision to split, just over a year after Witt was was named the 2022 WTA Coach of the Year.

Pegula and Witt went their separate ways at the beginning of 2024.

During their five years working together, Pegula went from number 90 to number 3 in the world.

"It's tough when you don’t know it’s coming," Witt said of Pegula's decision to call time on their partnership. "It was a shock. But it’s a business. I’ve learned that. If they think the grass is greener on the other side, and they think they can get someone else to take them to that promised land, that’s up to them.”

Despite the surprise, Witt also said the split was on good terms and that the pair remain in contact.

Witt made the comments in an exclusive interview with Talking Tennis in Valencia, where he is working with Aleksandar Kovacevic at the ATP Challenger.

Witt said the pair joined forces at the beginning of the year, and explained the "small" differences in Kovacevic's tight losses to Novak Djokovic, Botic van de Zandschulp and Hamad Medjedovic could have made a "big" impact on his charge's 2026.

Kovacevic plays Daniel Merida Aguilar in the opening round in Valencia.