Not only is Jessica Pegula one of America’s top tennis players, reaching the Round of 16 at the US Open for the first time, her parents own the Buffalo Bills.
As the Bills prepare to open the NFL season with the Rams on Thursday night, Pegula climbed to new heights in his tennis career, beating Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue 6-2 6 at Arthur on Saturday. -7(6) beaten 6-0. Ash Stadium.
This sets up a quarterfinal match against Petra Kvitova, who defeated Pegula in the third round of the 2020 US Open.
“I think I’m a lot better now than the last time I played her,” said Pegula, 28. how she gathers
Pegula’s parents, Terry and Kim, own the Bills and Buffalo Sabers. Jessica wears a pair of beaded bracelets, one blue and red for Bill and one blue and yellow for Saber. I’m a fan.
It’s been a trying few months for the Pegula family, who announced in mid-June that Kim was receiving treatment for an unspecified health issue.
In a June 14 statement, the family said, “We are so grateful for her progress over the past few days.” Please send your prayers and ask that you respect our need for privacy.”
Two weeks later, the family released another statement saying Kim was “going well” and was “resting and rehabilitating” due to health issues.
Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula speaks with colleagues before a game between the Bills and the New York Jets in September 2019.
(Bill Costrone/Associated Press)
Jessica Pegula indicated in a subsequent interview that her mother is recovering.
In May, three weeks before her health issue was announced, Kim Pegula spoke to The Times about what it’s like to develop a world-class tennis player.
“We call her our first sports team,” Pegula’s mother said at an NFL meeting in Atlanta on May 24. “The Sabers and the Bills and all the other teams. It was my first opportunity as a parent to really understand that I wanted to be a professional player because I didn’t know the future of owning a .
“She is 28 now. and I am very satisfied.
“As supportive as our parents were, we took her there, bought her a racket, took her lessons. It’s on her because she put a lot of time into it…and we’re seeing it unfold now.”
These league meetings took place during the French Open, where Pegula, nicknamed Jesse, made it to the quarterfinals. Her parents glanced at her cell phone during meetings to track her matches.
“We keep track of scores and little balls as she serves.” Let me know when you’re done.” He is more point by point. I’m kind of like, OK, end of the first set, end of the match. “
When did Pegulas realize that his daughter had an extraordinary talent?
Jessica Pegula returned a shot to Yuan Yue in Saturday’s third round match.
(Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Associated Press)
“My husband and I disagree,” she said at the time. “He says he knew from day one, but I was like, ‘Oh, come on. You really didn’t know. So many things happen between 7:00 and he’s 8:00.’
“I think there have been certain matches in her career where you’ve seen that. Now I’m just trying to be consistent. , I’m just saying that you can play with any of these top-ranked women.
Pegula is ranked 8th among female players and the highest among American players. The highest-ranked American male is Taylor Fritz, who is his 12th.
“When she was young and moved to Hilton Head (SC), she wanted to play tennis. You brag about your kids,” Kim Pegula’s mother said in May. “People ask and we say, ‘Oh yeah, she wants to be a pro.'” Everyone thinks you’re just bragging about your kid.
“So now they’re like, ‘Wait… I just saw her on TV. teeth very good. ‘ So for someone who knew us when she was younger, it’s a bit of a gratification. She just had this dream. It’s fun to see it come to life. “
