Jessica Pegula came into this year’s U.S. Open as the No. 3 ranked woman in tennis, and while she was eliminated from the singles competition over the weekend, it’s far from over for Pegula.

She and Coco Gauff are still competing as a doubles team, and they’re roaring through the tournament. Pegula is also competing in mixed doubles.

Before the tournament kicked off in Queens, though, Spectrum News NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan caught up with Pegula a couple weeks ago, just after she arrived in the city.

The Buffalo native was spending time with young tennis players from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program.

They couldn’t wait to get on the court with her, and neither could she.

“It’s so nice the WTA can organize this as well, because we are really busy with our schedules so to be able to fit it in events like this, coming into a big event, always makes it really fun and easy,” Pegula said. “It’s great always being able to give back to the community, and it’s all about making tennis more accessible, which is so important.” 

Pegula, who reached the quarterfinals in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, said if there is anything she could instill in young tennis players, it’s to have fun — and dream big.

“I would just say don’t be so hard on yourself. I think sometimes when you’re a kid, especially at least when I was a kid and I would go hit with girls that I was like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?’ I would always get so easily frustrated because you’re trying to be so perfect,” Pegula said. “I would just say always to have fun, that’s what it comes down to. And not be afraid to dream big. If you’re passionate about something, to go for it.”

As for where she finds the drive to not just compete with the best of the best, but to beat them, too, Pegula said it’s always been her dream.

“I was just a kid who was just 6 or 7, going to tennis camps like, ‘I want to be number one in the world, and I want to be a professional tennis player,’” Pegula said. “My parents always instilled in me to work very hard, and I think those values have just stuck with me throughout my whole career.

While Kiernan didn’t ask Pegula, whose parents Kim and Terry Pegula own the Buffalo Bills, to make a tennis prediction, he did ask her about football. 

The Pegulas’ Bills will take on Aaron Rogers and the New York Jets on Sept. 11 in their home opener.

“It’s gonna be a tough game. Our division is very tough. Obviously, I have faith in out team, of course, but it’s going to be an interesting year. It’ll be exciting,” Pegula said.