Daniel Matthews
Updated on: October 7, 2024 5:34 pm GMT
Jessica Pegula faced repeated questions about her 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals leading up to her U.S. Open showdown against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Reporters brought it up during her on-court interview after her previous win, again at the following press conference, and even during a brief TV interview right before her match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night.
If the pressure weighed on her, Pegula didn’t show it. The 30-year-old American pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 to secure her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal appearance at Flushing Meadows.
“There have been so many times where I just kept losing,” said Pegula, who has now won 14 of her last 15 matches, all on hard courts. “I know everyone keeps asking, but I felt like I just needed to get there again and win. Finally, I can say I’m a semifinalist.”
Pegula will face unseeded Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Thursday for a spot in the final.
Muchova, the 2023 French Open runner-up to Swiatek, advanced to her second consecutive U.S. Open semifinal by defeating No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 6-4 earlier Wednesday. Muchova, who lost to Coco Gauff in last year’s semifinals, had surgery on her right wrist and was sidelined for 10 months before returning to the tour in June.
Muchova described the wrist injury as “one of the worst” she’s dealt with but has rebounded impressively. Pegula, who beat Muchova at the Cincinnati Open last month, praised her opponent’s talent. “She’s so skilled and complete as a tennis player,” said Pegula. “She doesn’t have many weaknesses.”
Thursday night’s other semifinal will see No. 13 seed Emma Navarro take on No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who won back-to-back Australian Open titles. Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up to Gauff in New York, will be looking to return to the final, while Navarro ended Gauff’s title defense in the fourth round.
What Is Jessica Pegula’s Net Worth?
Jessica Pegula, a rising star in U.S. tennis, is making headlines as she competes in the 2024 U.S. Open with a real shot at winning the title. With the early exits of Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, Pegula, 30, has captured the spotlight. Many are now curious about her financial standing.
Individually, Pegula is worth an estimated $13 million, largely due to her successful tennis career, which includes 12 professional titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. In 2024 alone, she could earn up to $1.9 million in prize money. However, her family’s wealth far exceeds her personal earnings.
Her father, Terry Pegula, an oil-and-gas billionaire, is ranked as the 378th-richest person in the world by Forbes, with an estimated net worth of $7.7 billion. He made his fortune in 2010 after selling most of his company, East Resources, for $4.7 billion. He later purchased the Buffalo Sabres NHL team in 2011 and the Buffalo Bills NFL team in 2014, both of which significantly contribute to his wealth. The Bills are valued at $4.2 billion, while the Sabres are worth $750 million.
Jessica’s mother, Kim Pegula, was formerly the president of the family’s sports holding company and is one of just three NFL team owners not born in the United States.
Who Is Jessica Pegula’s Husband? All About Taylor Gahagen
Jessica Pegula, one of the top female tennis players in the United States, maintains a private life off the court. Despite her growing success in the WTA rankings and her participation in the 2024 U.S. Open, Pegula keeps personal details under wraps. One constant in her life has been her husband, Taylor Gahagen, who has supported her throughout her career, often traveling with her to tournaments.
Gahagen worked for nearly a decade at Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the management company owned by Jessica’s parents, Terry and Kim Pegula. The couple met during his time there, and by early 2019, they were engaged. Their wedding, initially planned for 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they eventually married in 2021.
In addition to being her life partner, Gahagen plays an active role in Pegula’s professional ventures. He is the vice president of her skincare company, Ready 24, and helps manage her charitable foundation, A Lending Paw, which supports animal welfare. While they keep their relationship out of the public eye, it’s clear that Gahagen is deeply involved in Pegula’s life and career.
Born and raised in Williamsville, New York, Gahagen attended Williamsville North High School, where he played baseball. He later went to SUNY Fredonia, earning a degree in business administration while playing baseball and participating in various business organizations. Afterward, he pursued an MBA at Canisius College in Buffalo, where he also worked with the university’s hockey program.
At Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Gahagen held several roles, including marketing manager, director of corporate development, and executive. He was instrumental in launching LECOM Harborcenter, a retail and entertainment facility in Buffalo. Gahagen left the company in 2023 and is now a managing partner at Dragos Capital and Agarwood Wealth.
Know About Jessica Pegula’s Parents Terry and Kim Pegula
As Jessica Pegula prepares to face Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open finals, her family has garnered attention, especially her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the Buffalo Bills and billionaires. Despite her family’s wealth, Jessica recently expressed frustration with public misconceptions about her lifestyle, saying, “The most annoying thing is that people think I have a butler, a private limo, and fly everywhere privately. I’m definitely not like that. People can think what they want, but it’s kind of funny.” She added, “I don’t know anyone who lives like that. It’s outrageous.”
Terry Pegula
Terry Pegula, a self-made billionaire, was born in Pennsylvania and earned a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering from Penn State University in 1973. He founded East Resources Inc. in 1983 with a $7,500 loan and, in 2010, sold much of the company for $4.7 billion. He bought the Buffalo Sabres in 2011 and the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Terry has five children: Michael and Laura from his first marriage, and Jessica, Kelly, and Matthew with Kim.
Kim Pegula
Kim Pegula, born in Seoul, South Korea, was adopted by Ralph and Marilyn Kerr and raised in Fairport, New York. She met Terry in 1991, and they married in 1993. In June 2022, Kim suffered cardiac arrest, resulting in significant brain damage and memory issues. Since then, she has rarely made public appearances.
In a heartfelt piece for the Player’s Tribune in February 2023, Jessica described her mother as a key figure in the family’s success. “She was the woman behind my dad’s success, and my dad would happily admit that. She jumped into this journey with him, breaking many barriers.” Jessica also shared how her mother’s health crisis has impacted the family. “All of a sudden, your world gets flipped upside down. We try to be a private family, and it is hard going through something so horrible that seemed so public.”
Now, Jessica balances her tennis career with her role in helping her family navigate Kim’s care and the responsibilities her mother once shouldered in managing the family’s businesses and sports teams.
Buffalo Bills and Sabres fans are familiar with the Pegula family, known for saving two beloved sports franchises and keeping them in western New York.
Even though Jessica Pegula grew up in a rich family, she worked really hard to become one of the best tennis players. Her effort and commitment helped her reach the top of the sport.
