Jessica Pegula Hilariously Exposes 23YO American WTA Pro for One Bizarre Habit That Leaves Everyone in Stitches
American women’s tennis is experiencing a surge in prominence, with stars such as Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro rapidly ascending the rankings, promising a bright future for the sport. Their camaraderie off the court is as engaging as their competitive spirit on it, and like any close-knit group, they engage in playful teasing. For instance, Coco Gauff humorously labeled Jessica Pegula “fake” during a Women’s Tennis Association interview for ignoring her texts about a movie night. This playful accusation arose when Pegula unexpectedly joined Gauff’s interview, only to be met with lighthearted criticism for her texting habits. Now, Pegula has directed her playful banter toward another American player, Emma Navarro.
Both Pegula and Navarro are currently competing at Indian Wells, but amidst the competition, Pegula took time to answer a crucial question for the Women’s Tennis Association: Who is consistently late to practice? Without hesitation, the world number four identified Navarro. “I would wager Emma Navarro because I consistently witness her arriving late, and she is late for everything,” Pegula stated.
The thirty-one-year-old tennis player was not alone in her assessment. In the same video, Mirra Andreeva named Daria Kasatkina, Iga Swiatek playfully implicated herself alongside British legend Andy Murray, and Paula Badosa humorously attributed Ons Jabeur’s tardiness to her excessive friendliness, noting her habit of greeting everyone.
Pegula and Navarro have both been performing exceptionally well. Pegula dominated the Austin Open, conceding only one set and securing the title against fellow American McCartney Kessler. Simultaneously, Navarro delivered a flawless performance at the Merida Open, culminating in a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory over Emiliana Arango in the final.
These American tennis players also share a commonality: their fathers are billionaires. Pegula’s father, Terry Pegula, amassed his wealth in the oil and gas industry before expanding into sports ownership, now owning the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. His net worth is a staggering $7.7 billion, placing him at number 373 on the Forbes world ranking. Navarro’s father, Ben Navarro, built his empire through Sherman Financial Group, which owns Credit One. He also owns the Cincinnati and Charleston tennis events and has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.
Both players are now vying for significant titles at Indian Wells. Pegula’s journey from Austin to California was particularly noteworthy. Instead of enduring a late-night trip, Jessica Pegula ensured the Austin Open finalists traveled in comfort aboard her private jet. After winning the singles title, she waited for the doubles final, where Kessler and Zhang Shuai were defeated by Yuan Yue and Anna Blinkova. Pegula then offered them a ride to Indian Wells.
Zhang Shuai expressed her gratitude on Instagram. “You know she could have left immediately after her singles final, but she is such a selfless and generous girl,” Zhang wrote. “This message is NOT to show I took the jet, just wanted to appreciate and transfer the love.” Blinkova and Yue also shared their appreciation on social media.
Upon her arrival in the California desert, Jessica Pegula promptly began her preparations. She easily defeated Wang Xinyu and Magda Linette, never conceding more than four games in a set. The thirty-one-year-old is determined to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2021 and will face former world number three Elina Svitolina on Tuesday. As for her “always late” American friend, Emma Navarro will compete against Donna Vekic on the same day, aiming to maintain her strong form.
Two rising stars, two billionaire backgrounds, and one exciting tournament ahead. Will Pegula and Navarro both advance deep into the Indian Wells competition?
