"Is that what you want me to do?" - Jessica Pegula rubbishes claims of having a "butler" and "flying private" due to 'billionaire' status at US Open
Jessica Pegula had an amusing response to the scrutiny she deals with due to her parent’s billionaire status. The US Open 2024 semifinalist found the assumptions about her lifestyle “outrageous.”
Pegula recently achieved her best Grand Slam result yet, making the New York semifinals after six failed Major quarterfinal attempts. She beat Shelby Rogers, Sofia Kenin, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and Diana Shnaider before crushing World No. 1 and 2022 champion, Iga Swiatek, on Wednesday, September 4. Notably, the American hasn’t dropped a set en route.
Besides her exceptional results, though, it’s her family’s wealth that has created a buzz this fortnight. Jessica Pegula is the daughter of natural gas tycoon Terry Pegula, who also owns the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and NFL’s Buffalo Bills with his wife Kim. According to Forbes, the family’s fortune is estimated at $7.7 billion.
Amid her ongoing campaign at the US Open, Pegula shared hilarious glimpses of her subway adventures on social media. However, the World No. 6 was teased by fans who believed that she must use a limousine, considering her wealth.
When asked about the “scrutiny” surrounding her billionaire status, Jessica Pegula recalled the “annoying” claims about her living a luxurious lifestyle.
"It’s that people think I have a butler; I get chauffeured around; I have a private limo; that I fly private everywhere – it’s… I’m definitely not like that," she clarified during her press conference before taking on Iga Swiatek.
"I mean, people can think what they want. I just think it’s kind of funny."
Pegula, who has collected $14.3 million in on-court prize money earnings so far in her career, sarcastically opined that she might as well splurge to validate the rumors.
"I’m like, a butler? No. Not at all! But maybe I should, I don’t know. At this point, is that what you want me to do? Do all these crazy things?" she quipped.
"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," she added.
Jessica Pegula isn't the only billionaire daughter competing at US Open 2024
Interestingly, Jessica Pegula isn’t the only daughter of a billionaire who has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 US Open.
Her younger compatriot, Emma Navarro, who boasts a similar status, is also making her final-four debut in New York this fortnight. The 23-year-old is the daughter of Ben Navarro, the founder of Sherman Financial Group, who has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes.
Navarro is through to the semifinals with victories over Anna Blinkova, Arantxa Rus, Marta Kostyuk, defending champion Coco Gauff, and Paula Badosa. On Thursday, she faces two-time Australian Open champion and 2023 US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in Saturday’s final. Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula is set for a battle against 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova.
If both players are to succeed, they will confirm an all-American title clash for the first time since 2017, when Sloane Stephens beat Madison Keys to lift the title.