Jessica Pegula had to laugh at the “outrageous” rumors that she leads a privileged life with butler service, chauffeurs and limousine service.
The American tennis player, whose father, billionaire Terry Pegula, owns the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, said it was “a little annoying” that people think she lives that way.
“I was doing something for the media the other day and they asked something like, ‘What’s the most annoying thing?'” Pegula said Monday in a press conference after her win over Diana Shnaider in round 4 of the 2024 US Open.
“People think I have a butler, I get chauffeured. I have a private limo, I fly everywhere privately… I’m definitely not like that. People can think what they want. I don’t know. I just find it kind of funny. A butler? I read these comments… I’m like, no, not at all. But maybe I should. I don’t know at this point. Is that what you expect me to do? To do all these crazy things?
“It’s a little annoying, but honestly I just find it kind of funny because I don’t actually know anyone who lives like that. I mean, it’s outrageous.”
This came after a reporter asked sixth-seeded Pegula if she thought she was being “scrutinized” because her father owns the Bills and the Sabres.
The reporter also mentioned that fans were shocked by Pegula’s recent Instagram post, which showed her taking the subway on her way to the US Open as part of a promotional campaign.
Pegula then posted a second photo of herself taking the LIRR to Flushing Meadows.
“We’re going home on the Long Island Railroad,” Pegula said in the video. “…By popular demand, I’ve been told it’s much easier and faster and nicer and better.”
Terry Pegula, who turned his oil fortune into a sports business empire, has a net worth of $7.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Jessica was in top form at this year’s US Open, securing another place in the quarterfinals after her fourth-round win over Shnaider on Monday.
On Wednesday she will face number 1 Iga Świątek in the women’s quarterfinals.
Świątek defeated Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6:4, 6:1 on Monday.
Pegula has a career-long record of 0-6 in major quarterfinals, including two losses to Swiatek.