Jessica Pegula, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, is poised to make history at this year’s US Open tennis tournament by potentially becoming the first American woman to reach the top spot in the WTA rankings since Serena Williams. At 32, Pegula has earned over $26 million in prize money and secured brand partnerships with IBM, Hyatt, and The Farmer’s Dog, according to fortune.com.
Pegula’s rise in tennis is often viewed alongside her family’s significant wealth. Her father, Terry Pegula, amassed billions in the oil and gas industry before investing heavily in professional sports. He sold East Resources to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010, then purchased the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres for $189 million in 2011 and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion in 2014. The Pegulas have a combined net worth of about $9.3 billion, fortune.com reports.
Jessica Pegula has sought to establish her own identity separate from her family’s fortune, emphasizing her work ethic and normalcy despite the wealth around her. Her career achievements and endorsements highlight her growing influence in tennis and business, marking a notable example of an athlete balancing professional success with a high-profile family background.
Jessica Pegula’s performance at the US Open this year will be closely watched as she attempts to secure her first major title and climb to the No. 1 WTA ranking, a feat not achieved by an American woman in over a decade, according to fortune.com.