NEW YORK — In a rare departure from his steadfast routine, billionaire Terry Pegula, father and primary coach of world No. 5 Jessica Pegula, broke a long-standing personal rule ahead of his daughter's pivotal US Open third-round clash. The Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner, known for his intense privacy and aversion to the media spotlight, granted a surprise interview, offering a glimpse into the unique father-daughter dynamic powering one of tennis's most formidable and financially backed careers.
Jessica Pegula, often dubbed the "world's richest tennis star" due to her share of the Pegula family's vast oil and gas fortune estimated at over $6.8 billion, faced a tough opponent in Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. Ahead of the match, Terry Pegula, who typically lets his daughter's racket do the talking, sat down with a small press pool. He revealed his pre-match ritual involves staying far from the player's area to manage his own nerves, a rule he was preparing to break. "I get too nervous watching live," he admitted. "I usually follow on my phone from the hospitality suite. But today feels different. I might have to be there."
From the Gridiron to the Grand Slam: Building a Tennis Empire
The Pegula tennis story is not one of a pushy stage parent but of a supportive patriarch who built an entire infrastructure to facilitate his daughter's dream. After purchasing the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres for a combined $1.4 billion in the early 2010s, Terry and his wife Kim turned their attention to Jessica's burgeoning career. Their most significant investment wasn't in a flashy sports car, but in a state-of-the-art training facility. The Pegula Tennis Center, a $12 million, 40,000-square-foot complex in Buffalo, boasts:
- Six indoor hard courts and four indoor clay courts
- A full-sized fitness and rehabilitation center
- Video analysis technology rivaling major academies
- Locker rooms and player lounges
This private haven allowed Jessica to train at an elite level without the constant travel typically required during harsh Buffalo winters. It’s a level of support that is almost unheard of in the individualistic world of professional tennis. "It’s my home court, literally," Jessica has often said. "Having that stability and a world-class place to train anytime has been a huge advantage in my career."
The Unlikely Path: A Billionaire's Daughter With a Blue-Collar Work Ethic
Despite her immense wealth, Jessica Pegula's journey to the top of tennis was far from guaranteed or easy. Serious hip and knee injuries in her early twenties threatened to derail her career entirely. It was during this challenging period that the Pegula family's support became most crucial, not just financially but emotionally. Terry Pegula, a self-made billionaire who built his fortune from the ground up in the energy sector, instilled a relentless work ethic in his children.
He famously dislikes the "nepo baby" narrative that often follows his daughter. In his recent comments, he pushed back gently but firmly: "People see the last name and the businesses and they make assumptions. They don't see the 5 a.m. workouts, the years of rehab, the sacrifices. Jessica earned every single point she has. We just tried to remove the obstacles so she could focus on competing."
More Than Money: The Strategic Family Support System
The Pegula advantage extends beyond a blank check. It's a holistic, strategic operation. Terry is deeply involved in the analytical side of Jessica's game, often reviewing match footage and tracking performance metrics. Her mother, Kim Pegula, who is recovering from a serious health incident in 2022, provided the emotional backbone and business acumen. Jessica's siblings are a constant presence in her player's box, offering a sense of normalcy and unwavering familial support amidst the global tour's pressures.
This environment has forged a player known for her mental toughness and analytical approach on court. Tennis commentator and former pro Pam Shriver noted, "What's impressive about Jessica is her composure. She doesn't play with the weight of expectation that her background might suggest. She plays like someone who has nothing to lose and everything to prove, which is a dangerous combination."
The US Open Crucible and a Father's Nerves
Back in Flushing Meadows, the tension was palpable. Terry Pegula did, indeed, break his rule. He was spotted in the player's guest box, a rare sight, watching intently as his daughter battled Svitolina in a grueling three-set match under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The clash was a physical and mental marathon, precisely the kind of high-pressure situation the Pegula family's entire support system was designed to navigate.
While Jessica ultimately fell to the in-form Ukrainian 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, her performance demonstrated the resilience her father so often praises. There was no visible frustration from Terry in the box, only focused support. After the match, Jessica acknowledged the unique pressure but also the privilege: "It's a lot, for sure. But I know how lucky I am. My family is my team. We win together, we lose together. That’s what gets me through."
The sight of the ultra-private billionaire, who commands NFL and NHL franchises, nervously watching his daughter play tennis humanizes a figure often seen only through the lens of immense wealth and power. It underscores that for all the money, private jets, and custom-built facilities, the core of Jessica Pegula's story remains a universal one: a parent's desire to support their child's dream, amplified on a billion-dollar scale.
In breaking his personal rule, Terry Pegula didn't just show up for a tennis match. He offered a silent, powerful testament to the fact that some investments—those in family and belief—are worth far more than any fortune, and the nerves that come with them are a price he's willing to pay. "That's my daughter out there," he said simply. "Everything else is just background noise."