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Jessica Pegula, world No. 4 and heir to a $7.6 billion family fortune, keeps it real. Despite her $17 million in tennis earnings and her parents Terry and Kim Pegula’s ownership of the Buffalo Bills, the New Yorker ditched luxury for the subway during the 2024 US Open. Spotted riding public transit to Flushing Meadows en route to the final, she explained on Instagram: “I don’t like cars—I like trains. I take them to Yankees games too.” She recalled a nauseating car trip to the venue: “An hour and a half, I wanted to jump out and walk. We took the subway back.”
Pegula’s down-to-earth vibe shines on the WTA Tour, where her kindness makes her a fan favorite. Fresh off her seventh career title at the Austin Open last Sunday, she headed to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open. After beating McCartney Kessler in the singles final, she watched Kessler and Zhang Shuai fall to Yuan Yue and Anna Blinkova in doubles. Then, in a classy move, Pegula invited all four finalists to join her on her private jet to California, sparing them a grueling nine-hour road trip.
Yuan gushed on social media: “Praise Miss Pegula! She’s invited us all from the doubles final onto her plane. How can there be such a beautiful lady?” Zhang echoed the sentiment: “We were debating flights—Austin, Houston, Dallas, late-night transfers. Jess could’ve left after her singles win, but she offered us all a ride. Selfless, generous—I’m just here to spread the love, not flex the jet.”
From subway commutes to jet-sharing, Pegula’s blend of humility and heart stands out, even with billions in the bank.
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