Aryna Sabalenka may have lifted the Miami Open trophy, but it was her opponent, Jessica Pegula, who stole the show—and her margarita—just moments later. In one of the most unexpectedly hilarious and heartwarming post-match exchanges tennis has seen this year, Sabalenka’s emotional apology was followed by a viral moment of revenge served chilled, live on TV.
The Belarusian powerhouse defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the 2025 Miami Open final, marking yet another commanding performance in what is fast becoming a legacy-defining season. It was Sabalenka’s first Miami title and her 19th career championship, solidifying her dominance as World No. 1. Yet, despite her success, Sabalenka showed a surprising level of vulnerability during the trophy ceremony that followed.
Turning to Pegula, Sabalenka made an emotional statement: “First of all Jess, I’m so sorry, for real. If I could share the trophy with someone—trophy, prize money, points, everything—I would definitely share it with you.” It was a rare moment of tenderness from the usually intense competitor, and the crowd responded with warm applause, clearly touched by the gesture.
But Jessica Pegula had a different kind of response waiting—and it was classic.
During a lighthearted post-match interview in the player lounge, Sabalenka sat down with a celebratory margarita in hand. That’s when Pegula, still reeling from the loss but not without her sense of humor, walked up and cheekily snatched the drink right from Sabalenka’s hand, taking a bold sip while cameras rolled. Sabalenka’s stunned reaction quickly turned to laughter, and the moment exploded across social media platforms within minutes.
Fans hailed the scene as “the ultimate playful revenge,” and the tennis world rejoiced in the camaraderie between two of its top stars. It wasn’t just a stolen margarita—it was a sign of mutual respect, the lightness that can still exist in a sport filled with pressure and heartbreak. Pegula may have lost the match, but in that moment, she won something even better: the hearts of fans.
This wasn’t Pegula’s first final loss to Sabalenka. The American has now been runner-up to her rival in three major finals, including the 2024 U.S. Open and the Cincinnati Masters. But despite the heartbreak, Pegula continues to show resilience, grace—and a wicked sense of humor.
Sabalenka, for her part, took it all in stride. With a laugh and a shake of her head, she posted the moment on social media with the caption: “She really took my drink?! 😂”
At the end of the day, Sabalenka may have the trophy, but Pegula took the last sip. And in a season of high-stakes tennis, it was the perfectly mixed cocktail of drama, sportsmanship, and fun that fans didn’t know they needed.