Billionaire Jessica Pegula guarantees huge tennis payday at Wuhan Open | Tennis | Sport
The world’s richest tennis player Jessica Pegula is set to add to her billionaire wealth after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic final set in the semi-final of the Wuhan Open.
The 31-year-old from the United States has guaranteed herself at least £260k after reaching the final of the tournament following a dramatic final set.
Pegula came through a nervy battle with Sabalenka after losing the first set 6-2, winning the next two sets 6-4, 7-6 to tee up her place in the final of the tournament where she’ll face compatriot Coco Gauff tomorrow.
She may not have won a Grand Slam title yet but boasts an estimated net worth of $15million (£11.3m) and could bank a further £442k if she defeats Gauff in the final.
Pegula is also in line to inherit a collossal wealth from her father, oil magnate Terry Pegula, who has a reported net worth of $7 billion (£5.4bn), placing him as the 373rd wealthiest individual globally, according to Forbes.
Her 73-year-old father also owns the the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and has a stunning $76M (£56.9m) superyacht named Top Five II, which his children are set to inherit.
Despite her father’s incredible wealth, Pegula has forged her own remarkable career and is currently ranked sixth in the world.
She defeated Hailey Baptiste in the round of 32, before seeing off Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 16.
Pegula came from behind after losing the first set to defeat Katerina Siniakova 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 to tee up the semi-final clash with Belarusian Sabalenka.
Pegula’s win over the world number one in the semi-final came in dramatic style, coming from 5-2 down to win the third and final set, ending her run of four defeats to Sabalenka in a row.
