MIAMI — Jessica Pegula has stepped into the gaming world, joining Call of Duty: Mobile’s “Make it Mythic” campaign. In this campaign, she is reimagined as a mythic version of Sophia, a popular character in the game.
The WTA No. 4 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.
Pegula, who has been a longtime fan of the franchise, mentioned that this opportunity felt very natural to her.
“I try to engage in activities that genuinely interest me and that I am passionate about, so I can be authentic,” she said. “Video game collaborations are quite new in women’s tennis, 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 pandemic when there was a lot of free time,” Pegula added. “I am a big fan of the game.”
This campaign coincides with Pegula’s successful performance on the court. Earlier this month, she secured her first title of the season at the ATX Open in Austin. On Friday, she began her Miami Open journey with a victory over fellow American Bernarda Pera in straight sets.
Her Call of Duty journey began on consoles and then transitioned to mobile, largely because the PS5 is not travel-friendly due to its size.
“I used to travel with my PS4,” she shared. “The PS4 was quite light and compact, making it easy to pack. However, the PS5 is bulkier and less conveniently shaped. This led me to start playing the mobile version of the game.”
This partnership marks Pegula’s first collaboration with a video game publisher. According to Activision, this collaboration happened after they confirmed her significant playtime in the game. The advertisement, created using CGI and green screen, was a novel and enjoyable experience for Pegula.
“I love my blonde transformation,” Pegula commented. “Sophia becomes blonde in her mythic form. I haven’t reached the Mythic Sophia level myself in the game, but I got to embody her for the first time through this campaign.”
Pegula noted that her enthusiasm for gaming has sparked unexpected conversations within the tennis locker room.
“It’s been amusing to see how many players are actually into gaming but keep it quiet,” Pegula said. “Perhaps there’s a perception on tour that it’s nerdy or strange.”
“Several players have approached me since this collaboration and said, ‘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 in the tennis community. I would definitely love to be more involved in similar campaigns.”
