Pegula revealed that she relieved mental anxiety with milk tea during the China Open, while Keys shared about crying late at night in Madrid.

Not long ago, we talked about Pegula’s strong liking for "Chinese milk tea" and noted that her dear friend Yuan Yue was the reason she loved it so much. Recently, Pegula detailed her experience and her connection with "Chinese milk tea" on a podcast show.

Shortly after returning to the U.S., the American star joined Keys and Brady on a podcast episode, where they focused on the mental pressures players currently face.

During the show, Pegula admitted that she endured immense mental stress while competing at the China Open, which caused anxiety and even insomnia. This made her feel very unwell and affected her physical condition. At that time, a joking suggestion from her close friend Yuan Yue to “go have some bubble milk tea” unexpectedly became her emotional outlet, revealing to fans the real struggles behind the professional athlete’s glamorous image.

When a viewer in the live chat incredulously asked, “Is winning the only way to relieve stress?” Pegula’s expression was calm yet helpless as she confessed, “Yes, because sometimes waiting after an early loss is even more agonizing than losing itself.”

Pegula disclosed on the podcast that if players exit early in a tournament, they face a long and awkward waiting period. “We can’t just go home; we have to stay and train locally until the next event begins.” She admitted this repetitive cycle year after year breeds negative emotions, and the only relief is “winning more matches.” Although her friend’s bubble tea joke briefly lifted her spirits, Pegula emphasized that the loneliness and anxiety of professional players are far beyond what most people can imagine.

Keys, also a professional player, deeply empathized and tearfully revealed her own mental crisis: she described in detail how after winning the Australian Open, she experienced both physical and psychological exhaustion during the season, especially mentioning that during the Madrid event, she once woke up in the middle of the night and broke down in tears.

“Without hearing their firsthand accounts, it’s hard for outsiders to grasp the toll of continuous competition on players,” a sports commentator wrote while sharing a clip of the show. “Behind the glory are countless nights shattered by pressure.”

Tennis legend Pam Shriver called on social media for the tour to establish more comprehensive mental health support systems, reminding that players are not only athletes but also ordinary people. Many netizens pointed out that constant touring, fluctuating results, and social media scrutiny are becoming psychological risks for the new generation of players.

Regarding Pegula’s sharing, some fans commented, “Yuan Yue’s ‘bubble milk tea’ line is truly a Chinese friend’s romantic gesture! It’s not just for Pegula; even we can feel the emotional impact she experienced — a warmth and love that instantly melts you.”

Other viewers remarked, “I didn’t realize they can’t go home after losing; now I understand why some choose to withdraw to protect their health,” and “Keys’s tearful confession was heartbreaking. Professional sports are so harsh; I hope organizers provide more psychological support!” Some also said, “The milk tea joke is funny but also quite sad — players rely on such fleeting sweetness to ease their pressure, which really makes me feel sorry for them.”

If Yuan Yue’s “milk tea” symbolizes a kind of Chinese-style romance, then Pegula’s milk tea therapy represents a warm current in life’s journey. It’s not so much the flavor that lingers but the timely comfort that touches the heart. Of course, while we marvel at the blessing of having a friend like Yuan Yue, this podcast also peeled back the glamorous veneer of professional tennis: beyond the applause and trophies, players remind the world through their real stories that competitive sports are not only a test of skill but a survival challenge of mental resilience.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)