Pegula answers question about family’s $100M yacht | Sports News

Jessica Pegula confronted questions about her family’s $100 million yacht after struggling a devastating defeat to Aryna Sabalenka on the US Open. The 31-year-old harbored bold desires of securing her maiden Grand Slam championship on home soil this summer season, solely to see these aspirations shattered by the world’s top-ranked participant in Friday’s semi-final showdown.

Despite Pegula seizing control with a commanding 6-4 opening set victory, Sabalenka mounted a fierce comeback to assert the second set 6-3 earlier than delivering a masterful 6-4 efficiency to seal her triumph. Sabalenka will now sq. off in opposition to Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s championship match, following the American’s spectacular semi-final victory over Naomi Osaka.

While quite a few journalists have been keen to debate Pegula’s feelings and reflections on her heartbreaking loss to Sabalenka during her post-match media session, a number of reporters shifted focus to her family’s extravagant multi-million greenback vessel at present docked at Long Island’s Manhassett Bay.

When questioned about the yacht’s arrival in New York, Pegula responded: “I think so. I don’t really know where they have been staying. I think they were anchored somewhere, but I haven’t been or seen them. I just see them after the matches, so I’m not really sure what they’ve been doing on the other days.”

Though the inquiry might sound unconventional, Pegula’s household fortune has remained a persistent speaking level all through her skilled tennis journey. Her father, Terry Pegula, boasts an estimated web price of roughly $9.3 billion based on Forbes, having constructed his empire within the oil and fuel industry earlier than transitioning into sports activities possession.

Terry bought the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise for about $1.4 bn in 2014. It’s actually honest to say he is witnessed a substantial return on that investment, contemplating the workforce is now valued at roughly $5.9bn.

That does not imply Pegula hasn’t carved out her own path within the tennis world. The Florida native is believed to have amassed round $16m in prize money all through her profession, boasting spectacular achievements in each singles and doubles competitors.

While many may assume Pegula enjoys entry to her family’s wealth, which she’ll probably inherit down the street, she’s supplied a mild reminder to followers that she would not essentially benefit from that fortune at present. Addressing her family’s web price, she remarked: “Yeah, I mean, people say that.

“I personally do not have that money. It’s in all probability my dad or my dad and mom. I do not know why that sort of caught. I imply, I perceive, although. My household clearly is fairly well-known back in America.

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“I mean, it is what it is…It doesn’t really bother me. It would be nice if people didn’t say that. But do I really care? I mean, not really. It is what is. But, yeah…I don’t really think it matters how much money you have.”

This follows Pegula’s first-ever Grand Slam singles remaining ultimately 12 months’s US Open, the place she fell 7-5 7-5 to Sabalenka. The 27-year-old Belarusian is now setting her sights on securing her fourth Grand Slam title when she squares off in opposition to WTA No. 9 Anisimova on the Arthur Ashe stadium on Saturday, September 6.