Jessica Pegula hits back at critics of her billionaire background
Jessica Pegula fires back at media speculation over her drive to win, despite her family’s wealth. The British newspaper, The Times, raised doubts about her hunger for grand slam victories in light of her billionaire family background. However, Pegula, who lost in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, didn’t hold back in her response.
In a tweet, she made her stance clear, saying: “I’ll tell you what I won’t buy is this [trash] article,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. The Times’ headline, “Six quarter-finals, six defeats: Jessica Pegula needs dynamic that family billions can’t buy,” prompted her candid response. Her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, who own the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, have a net worth of $6.7 billion, according to Forbes.
The article theorized that Pegula’s financial security might hinder her hunger for victory. It questioned what drives her and whether defeat holds little meaning when wealth isn’t at stake. It also highlighted her ventures outside of tennis, including a skincare brand and a health food restaurant chain that closed down in 2016. The Times contrasted this with the traditional narrative of tennis players driven by escaping poverty or representing their nation.
Pegula has faced personal challenges
However, it’s worth noting that Pegula has faced personal challenges beyond her family’s wealth. Her mother, Kim Pegula, underwent a difficult recovery after suffering cardiac arrest last June. Pegula shared her mother’s harrowing medical emergency in an article for the Players Tribune earlier this year.
Despite the media scrutiny, Pegula’s achievements in reaching the quarterfinals of multiple grand slam tournaments shouldn’t be overshadowed. Her determination and resilience on the court have propelled her to those stages of competition.
The speculation surrounding her drive serves as a reminder that athletes face both external and internal pressures, and their personal journeys are more complex than surface-level assumptions suggest.
