MIAMI — Jessica Pegula has stepped into the gaming world, participating in Call of Duty: Mobile’s “Make it Mythic” campaign. In this campaign, she is reimagined as a mythic version of Sophia, one of the game’s most beloved characters.
The world No. 4 WTA player is collaborating with Activision Blizzard on this project. She appears in promotional videos as a transformed version of Sophia, a fan-favorite operator in the game.
As a longtime enthusiast of the franchise, Pegula expressed that this opportunity felt like a natural fit for her.
“I try to engage in activities that genuinely interest me and that I feel passionate about, so I can be authentic,” she stated. “No one has really done a video game activation in women’s tennis before, so I was curious to explore entering this different realm.”
“I often play with my brothers, friends, and husband to unwind. I started playing much more during the COVID lockdowns when there was a lot of free time,” Pegula mentioned. “I am a big fan of the game.”
This campaign coincides with a successful period on the court for the 30-year-old. Earlier this month, Pegula secured her first title of the season at the ATX Open in Austin. On Friday, she commenced her Miami Open journey with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over fellow American Bernarda Pera in 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Her engagement with Call of Duty began on consoles and transitioned to mobile, particularly because the PS5 is too bulky to carry while traveling.
“I used to travel with my PS4,” she recalled. “The PS4 was quite light and slim, making it easy to pack. The PS5 is a bit larger, rounder, and more cumbersome. That’s what led me to playing the mobile game.”
This activation marks Pegula’s first partnership with a video game publisher. According to Activision, this collaboration arose after confirming her significant playtime in the game. The promotional spot, created using CGI and green screen, was a novel and enjoyable experience for Pegula.
“I love the blond transformation,” Pegula commented. “Sophia becomes blond in her mythic form. I’m not skilled enough to unlock Mythic Sophia myself, but I got to embody her for the first time.”
Pegula noted that her enthusiasm for gaming has sparked more conversations in the locker room than she anticipated.
“It’s been amusing to see how many are actually into gaming but keep it quiet,” Pegula said. “I’m not sure if there’s a perception on tour that it’s nerdy or strange.”
“Several girls have approached me after this announcement, saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you play too? I love playing with my boyfriend and friends, it’s so much fun!’ It’s opened up a whole new dimension within the tennis community. I would definitely love to be more involved in campaigns like this.”
