Miami – Jessica Pegula, the world No. 4 ranked tennis player, is stepping into the world of esports. She has teamed up with Call of Duty: Mobile for their “Make it Mythic” campaign.
In this collaboration with Activision Blizzard, Pegula is featured in promotional videos. She is reimagined as a mythic version of Sophia, a well-loved character from the game.
Pegula, who has been a fan of the Call of Duty franchise for a long time, mentioned that this partnership felt like a natural fit for her interests.
“I prefer to engage in activities that genuinely interest me and that I feel passionate about. This way, I can be authentic,” Pegula explained. “Video game collaborations are quite new in women’s tennis, and I was curious to explore this unique avenue.”
Pegula also shared that gaming is a way for her to relax and unwind, often playing with her brothers, friends, and husband. Her gaming habits increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was more free time. She openly admits to being a big fan of Call of Duty.
This campaign coincides with Pegula’s successful tennis season. Earlier in the month, she secured her first title of the season at the ATX Open in Austin. In her Miami Open debut on Friday, she won against fellow American Bernarda Pera in straight sets.
Pegula’s journey with Call of Duty began on consoles and later shifted to mobile gaming, especially because of the PlayStation 5’s size, making it less travel-friendly.
“I used to travel with my PS4, which was conveniently light and flat for packing. However, the PS5 is bulkier and less practical for travel, which led me to explore the mobile version of the game,” she said.
This collaboration marks Pegula’s first venture into partnerships with video game publishers. Activision confirmed that this partnership was initiated after recognizing Pegula’s extensive playtime within the game. The promotional material, created using CGI and green screen techniques, was a novel and enjoyable experience for Pegula.
“I find it amusing to see myself as a blonde in the game,” Pegula commented. “Mythic Sophia is depicted as a blonde character. Although I haven’t reached a level to unlock Mythic Sophia myself, this campaign allowed me to step into her shoes for the first time.”
Pegula noted that her enthusiasm for gaming has sparked unexpected conversations in the tennis locker room.
“It’s quite funny to realize how many players are actually gamers but keep it quiet,” Pegula mentioned. “Perhaps there’s a perception within the tour that gaming is nerdy or strange.”
“Several fellow players have approached me after this campaign, expressing their own interest in gaming. They share how much they enjoy playing with their partners and friends, seeing it as a fun pastime. This has surprisingly opened up a new dimension within the tennis community, and I would definitely be interested in participating in similar campaigns in the future.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth