Swiatek Sees Progress on Grass Despite Bad Homburg Final Defeat

Swiatek Shows Grass-Court Promise Despite Final Loss to Pegula

Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek believes she’s “shown there is hope” for her on grass after falling short in the Bad Homburg Open final to Jessica Pegula.

In her first career grass-court final, the former world number one lost 6-4, 7-5 to the American, who secured her third WTA title of the 2025 season. Swiatek, known for her dominance on clay and hard courts, has long considered grass a weak point in her game — none of her 22 WTA titles have come on the surface.

However, this week in Germany marked a shift. Swiatek notably crushed last year’s Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-1 6-3 in the semi-finals, marking her first-ever win over a top-10 opponent on grass.

“This tournament shows there is hope for me on grass,” said Swiatek, fighting back tears after the final. “I’m happy I could prove that.”

Swiatek will now turn her focus to Wimbledon, where she opens her campaign against Russia’s Polina Kudermetova on Tuesday. A tough projected draw could see her face Elena Rybakina in the fourth round and French Open champion Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals.

Jessica Pegula, who faces Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her Wimbledon opener, praised Swiatek during the trophy ceremony:

“I know you say you can’t play on grass, but trust me, you can. Cut yourself some slack.”

Joint Saves Four Match Points to Win Eastbourne Title

Jessica Pegula has won titles on grass, clay and hard courts this year

Elsewhere, Australian teenager Maya Joint delivered a stunning performance in Eastbourne, saving four championship points in a dramatic final to defeat Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (12-10).

The 19-year-old Joint, playing her debut tournament in Eastbourne, will break into the world’s top 50 when the new WTA rankings are released Monday.

Eala, 20, made history by becoming the first Filipina to reach a WTA Tour final, solidifying her status as a rising star.

Later in the day, Joint fell short in the doubles final alongside legendary partner Hsieh Su-wei, losing 6-4, 7-5 to Marie Bouzkova and Anna Danilina.

Joint had hoped to become the first player since Jana Novotna in 1998 to win both the singles and doubles titles at Eastbourne in the same year. Novotna went on to repeat the feat at Wimbledon just weeks later.

Maya Joint is the current world number 51