US Open star Jessica Pegula creating her own dynasty away from parents billions

Jessica Pegula, 30, is making waves at the US Open as she vies for her first career Grand Slam singles title. Ranked No. 6 in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Pegula is more than just a talented tennis player—she’s the daughter of billionaires Terry and Kim Pegula, who own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. As she competes on one of the biggest stages in tennis, here’s everything you need to know about her journey and background.

**Early Life and Training**
Jessica Pegula was born on February 24, 1994, in Buffalo, New York. She grew up in Pennsylvania and South Carolina before relocating to Boca Raton, Florida, in 2007 to pursue a serious tennis career. Pegula trained under Dave Rineberg, the former hitting coach for tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, while attending high school online. Her talent and dedication were evident early on, with Rineberg noting that Pegula possessed the same “explosive power” as the Williams sisters.

**Family Background**
Jessica’s father, Terry Pegula, founded the oil and gas company East Resources in 1983. After selling most of the company’s assets to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010, he purchased the Buffalo Sabres for $189 million in 2011 and later acquired the Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion in 2014. Jessica’s mother, Kim Pegula, played a significant role in managing both sports franchises, holding titles as president and co-owner of both teams until she suffered a cardiac arrest in June 2022.

**Media Scrutiny and Career Perseverance**
Despite her family’s wealth, Jessica Pegula has worked hard to establish her own identity in the world of professional tennis. However, she has faced criticism, particularly after her quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon in 2023. Some questioned whether her privileged background affected her drive to win. Pegula addressed these criticisms in a season two episode of Netflix’s “Break Point,” emphasizing that her success on the court is a result of her own hard work and talent, not her family’s financial status.

**Career Milestones**
Jessica Pegula’s tennis career began to take off in her mid-20s. She reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2021 Australian Open and has since made it to the quarterfinals in every Grand Slam tournament. Though she has yet to win a Grand Slam singles title, her recent victories at the Canadian Open and a second-place finish at the Cincinnati Open have given her valuable momentum heading into the US Open.

**Personal Life and Relationships**
Jessica has two older half-siblings, Michael and Laura, and two full siblings, Kelly and Matthew. Her family has always been supportive of her tennis ambitions, even relocating to Florida to help her pursue her dreams. Jessica was inspired by her older half-sister Laura, who played tennis at the University of Pittsburgh.

**Olympic Aspirations and Doubles Success**
Jessica Pegula is not just focused on singles play; she is also a skilled doubles player. She has partnered with fellow American Coco Gauff, with whom she will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo hopes to become the first American women’s doubles team to win Olympic gold since Serena and Venus Williams in 2012.

**Business Ventures and Advocacy**
Outside of tennis, Jessica Pegula is a successful entrepreneur. In 2017, she founded Ready 24, a skincare company, while recovering from hip surgery. Initially managing nearly every aspect of the business herself, Pegula has had to balance her entrepreneurial ambitions with her tennis career. Additionally, inspired by her mother’s legacy, she helped establish the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) in 2022 to promote representation and leadership within the sport.

**Endorsements and Advocacy for Gender Equality**
In December 2023, Forbes reported that Pegula was the seventh highest-paid female athlete of the year, earning $6 million on the court and $6.5 million off the court. She has secured sponsorships with major brands like Adidas, Yonex, and IBM. Pegula has also been vocal about the pay gap between male and female tennis players, advocating for better marketing and support for women’s tennis.

**Conclusion**
Jessica Pegula is much more than just the daughter of billionaire sports team owners. Her hard work, perseverance, and talent have made her a formidable force in professional tennis. As she continues her quest for a Grand Slam title, she remains a role model both on and off the court, using her platform to inspire others and champion important causes.