In the high-pressure world of professional tennis, where grit and determination define success, Jessica Pegula has carved out a remarkable career, reaching the 2024 US Open final and cementing her status as a top-tier player. Yet, behind her ascent lies a unique family dynamic shaped by her billionaire father, Terry Pegula, whose relentless drive and “crazy” intensity played a pivotal role in her journey. Despite his demanding empire—spanning the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, and a fortune built on oil and gas—Terry’s influence on Jessica’s tennis career has been profound, blending tough love with unwavering support, as she revealed in a candid reflection on their relationship.
Growing up in Boca Raton, Florida, as the daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula, Jessica was no stranger to ambition. Terry, a self-made billionaire who turned a $7,500 loan into a $4.7 billion sale of his oil and gas company, East Resources, in 2010, instilled a fierce work ethic in his daughter. “My dad was definitely more of the crazy one, and he definitely put pressure on me,” Jessica shared during a recent Tennis Insider Club appearance, her tone a mix of humor and respect. She recalled how Terry’s high expectations pushed her to embrace tennis not as a chore but as a passion. “I wanted it, I liked it, I didn’t mind it. It wasn’t like I was fighting him on it. I really wanted to play tennis. I loved going to my tennis lessons, I loved going to my academy.” This enthusiasm, sparked early, fueled her rise from a decorated college player at the University of Pittsburgh to a world No. 6 with six WTA titles.
Terry’s approach, however, wasn’t always smooth. “Dad and I are like oil and water on the tennis court—it does not mix well,” Jessica admitted on the 2021 Bills Pod Squad podcast, laughing at their fiery dynamic. His old-school mantra—“work hard, always work hard, you can always outwork somebody”—became a cornerstone of her mindset, even if their on-court interactions were fraught. Yet, Terry’s belief in her potential was unshakable. Years ago, when injuries stalled her progress, he told Buffalo sports director Jon Scott that Jessica could “beat anyone in the world when healthy.” That confidence bore fruit in 2025, as Jessica notched a 37-15 record, capturing titles at the ATX Open, Charleston Open, and Bad Homburg Open across hard, clay, and grass surfaces, proving her versatility.
While Terry pushed her on the court, Kim Pegula, the family’s emotional anchor, focused on Jessica’s off-court health. “You were the more off-court, get healthy. Like the diet, the recovery, the training and stuff like that,” Jessica said of her mother, who, as president of the Bills and Sabres, broke barriers as one of the NFL’s few female owners. Kim’s influence was vital, especially after her 2022 cardiac arrest, which left her with significant brain damage and memory issues. Jessica, writing in The Player’s Tribune in 2023, described the ordeal: “All of a sudden, your world gets flipped upside down and you have no idea what the f**k is going on.” Despite the family tragedy, Kim’s recovery, aided by Jessica’s sister Kelly’s CPR, inspired Jessica’s 2024 US Open run. “She wants to watch me on TV,” Jessica noted, highlighting how her success fuels her mother’s healing.
Terry’s absence from Jessica’s matches is notable—he rarely attends live, citing nerves. “He just tells me ‘good job.’ He enjoys watching from home,” Jessica explained. Yet, his rare appearance at her 2024 US Open semifinal against Karolina Muchova, where she rallied from a 1-6 deficit to win 6-4, 6-2, moved fans. “Imagine seeing your daughter work very hard despite the fact that you’re a billionaire,” one supporter posted online, capturing Terry’s pride in Jessica’s self-made path. Her clash with Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open final, where she fell despite chances, set the stage for their US Open showdown. “She’s a really great hard court player, but I think I’m also a really good hard court player,” Jessica said, hopeful for a different outcome.
Beyond tennis, Jessica’s life defies stereotypes of billionaire privilege. “People think I have a butler, that I get chauffeured around, that I fly private everywhere,” she laughed at a 2024 US Open press conference. “I’m definitely not like that. It’s kind of funny because I don’t really even know anyone that lives like that.” With a $15 million net worth from prize money and endorsements, plus ventures like her Ready 24 skincare brand and A Lending Paw charity, Jessica is forging her own legacy. As she eyes a Grand Slam title, Terry’s “crazy” push and Kim’s nurturing guidance remain the bedrock of her success, proving that even a billionaire’s daughter can outwork the odds.
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