American Woman

It’s hard to put into words or fathom the sheer destruction and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene this fall. The storm ravaged a significant portion of the southeastern region of the United States with hundreds of fatalities, thousands displaced, and immeasurable damage to infrastructure.

The footage of the aftermath of the storm had a profound impact on a lot of people, with one of them being American tennis star Jessica Pegula. She married her husband in Asheville, one of the many cities and areas hit hard by the storm, and the place holds a special place in Pegula’s heart.

Upon seeing the news, Pegula tweeted out:

“Asheville always holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I got married. I can’t believe the devastation right now. So many people stranded and missing. I hope everyone is staying as safe as they possibly can. What are some ways we can help?!”

It’s a fine example of how athletes can use their platform to help those in need, and is something Pegula has tried to always be conscious of, especially factoring in the means from which she comes from.

The Buffalo native is the daughter of extremely wealthy parents, Terry and Kim, who own the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, and the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League; in all, the family’s net worth is north of $7 billion.

During the U.S. Open, Pegula did an interview while taking a subway into Queens, and she discussed some of the “annoying” things she has to deal with from the public when they view her family.

“It’s that people think I have a butler, that I get chauffeured around. I have a private limo, that I fly private everywhere. I’m definitely not like that,” Pegula said. “People can think what they want. I don’t know. I think it’s kind of funny. A butler? Like, I read these comments, ‘she probably has this and that and that’. I’m, like, no, not at all. Maybe I should. I don’t know at this point. Is that what you want me to do, do all these crazy things? Yeah, it’s a little annoying, but honestly I just think it’s kind of funny because I don’t really even know anyone that lives like that. It’s outrageous.”

Sports remain and will always be the ultimate meritocracy. And while having access to money and resources can put you on the track to success, in sports, and especially in tennis, climbing through the ranks is something that is earned, not given. No amount of money can help you advance deep into a Grand Slam event, when the only thing standing in your way is the opponent on the other side of the net.

For Pegula, on the court, there seemed to be a roadblock barring her from entering the semifinals at the majors as she went 0-6 in her first six quarterfinal matches.

At this year’s U.S. Open, after she defeated Diana Shnaider to reach the seventh major quarterfinal of her career, she spoke that very subject.

“I know you don’t want the cliché answer, but it’s just kind of one match at a time, and every day kind of feels different,” she said. “It depends on who you are playing, how the conditions are when you’re playing. There are so many variables day-to-day. I think I’ll just try to draw on that experience and how maybe I’ve handled it in the past, and what I’m looking to try and do mentally different this time. It’s really not that much different.

I feel like this time, I don’t know, maybe a little less pressure in a way. I think I’m just happy that I’ve been able to give myself another opportunity I guess.”

That mental preparation and not over thinking the pressure of the situation would pay off, as Pegula stormed past world number one and four-time major champion Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final four at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

“I would like to say I’m so happy that you guys cannot ask me about making it to the semis,” she said jokingly in her post-match press conference. “It wasn’t even a me thing. It was more people asking me. I’m really happy to be through to the semifinals.”

Pegula would take it one step further by winning her semifinal match against fellow American Emma Navarro, before losing in the championship to Aryna Sabalenka.

Despite the finals defeat, Pegula departed New York with her head held high and a positive outlook on what she was able to accomplish, and what it means for her moving forward.

“I always have a quiet confidence, I’m pretty calm and I feel like I’m good at being aware of what my journey has been like and what it’s been for me,” she said. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just someone that sees things in perspective, that sees things a bit differently. Obviously mt family is a little bit different and I think I have a good sense of where that fits into my life, and what it’s going to be after tennis. What’s always helped me, I think, as I have gotten higher ranked and become a better player is just keeping that perspective. That’s helped me a lot to become a better player. Just having that awareness and perspective of what tennis is for me.”

Pegula understands where she comes from and the privilege her and her family have enjoyed, which can help put tennis in perspective for her. She has chosen to remain humble and the results have been there as she continues to put her head down and work hard. She also understands the impact she can have as a person of means and someone in the spotlight, and has used that to try to generate good.

2024 has been one of the best seasons in Pegula’s career, and she is at the forefront of the recent success of Americans both on the men’s and women’s side. Pegula’s journey is different than the one many of her peers have had, but as she says, it has helped her develop an outlook that will carry her to greater heights in her career.