Jessica Pegula, the World No. 3 and the richest tennis player with a family net worth exceeding $7.6 billion, revealed her preference for booking separate accommodations from other WTA players during tournaments, citing the mental toll of constant hotel stays. In an exclusive interview with *Tennis.com* on June 24, 2025, shared via an X post by @Tennis, Pegula discussed her approach to travel logistics ahead of Wimbledon, starting June 30. Her decision, influenced by her experiences and privileged background, underscores her desire for mental clarity and comfort during the demanding WTA season.
Pegula, daughter of oil tycoon and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, explained, “I prefer my own space to decompress. Hotels with players can feel like an extension of the tournament—everyone’s in game mode, and it’s hard to switch off.” She emphasized the need for environments that allow her to relax, often choosing high-end hotels or private rentals over the standard player hotels. “I’m not trying to be different, but I need a place where I can feel at home, especially with how grueling the season is,” she added, per a June 25, 2025, *Daily Express* report. This choice aligns with her role as a Hyatt ambassador, prioritizing properties that offer a “home-like” atmosphere.
The 31-year-old American, who reached the 2024 US Open final, highlighted the psychological strain of living in hotels for months. “You’re constantly around the same faces, and it can feel suffocating,” she said on the *Nothing Major* podcast, echoing complaints about European hotels’ cramped spaces and poor amenities. Her husband, Taylor Gahagen, often joins her, and she ensures their stays are in “nicer spots” to balance the tour’s intensity, a sentiment she shared at Queen’s Club in June 2025.
Despite her wealth—bolstered by her family’s fortune and her own $17 million in career earnings—Pegula remains grounded. She famously took the New York subway to the 2024 US Open, explaining, “I don’t like cars; I get sick,” and offered players like Yuan Yue a ride on her family’s private jet to Indian Wells, per a March 7, 2025, *Irish Star* report. These gestures reflect her humility, though she avoids shared accommodations to maintain mental separation from competitors.
Pegula’s 2025 season, including titles in Charleston and Berlin and a French Open quarterfinal, positions her as a Wimbledon contender. Her strategic choice to stay apart from peers, combined with her resilience—evident in overcoming six Grand Slam quarterfinal exits before her US Open final run—highlights her focus on mental and physical preparation for SW19, where she aims to surpass her 2023 quarterfinal.
