18th ranked Jessica Pegula joins us for the first episode of Baseline Intelligence. She recently wrapped up a career year by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2021 Australian Open and jumping 44 spots in the WTA Rankings.

We talk:

1:55 - What she credits her jump in the rankings to

7:25 - How 1% improvement makes all the difference

10:35 - What she counts as a bad error

14:45 - Her most basic tactic in a match

21:36 - What she did as a junior that helped her become a pro

23:56 - What she would do differently as a junior player

34:34 - Tells us about practice "tickles"

38:10 - Why she feeds her dogs so much before she goes on the road

**Sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com