© Getty Images Sport – Chung Sung-Jun
FOLLOW
Jessica Pegula recounted her mother being adopted in South Korea after capturing an “extra special” Seoul title. On Sunday, No 1 seed Pegula ousted China’s Yuan Yue 6-2 6-3 in the Seoul final. Pegula, who was born in the United States and represents the States, is half Korean.
When Pegula’s mother Kim was a toddler, she was left in front of a Korean police station. Kim Pegula – who was born in Seoul – spent some time in an orphanage before a Canadian family that moved to New York state adopted her when she was five.
In 2019, Pegula and her mother Kim visited the same orphanage in Seoul where she was once staying. This year, Pegula wasn’t accompanied by her mother in Seoul. Last year, Kim Pegula suffered a cardiac arrest and she is still recovering.
“This one is extra special. I am half Korean. I don’t speak and I am still learning about my culture (my mom was adopted and left on a doorstep of a Korean police station) but I have been overwhelmed by the support from Korean fans.
My mom visited her orphanage here when I played this event 4 years ago. It was the first time she felt open about learning about her past. Her health struggles the…
