Jessica Pegula is gearing up to compete against Coco Gauff in the final of the Wuhan Open this Sunday, following her victory over top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the semi-final. Known as one of the most financially successful athletes globally, the 31-year-old has been affectionately dubbed ‘Dafu’ by her Chinese supporters, which translates to ‘Big Rich’ in Mandarin.
During an episode of the Player’s Box Podcast, Pegula shared her thoughts on her newfound nickname, revealing that while she initially requested a more modest moniker, her fans were straightforward in their choice. She mentioned that various players have unique nicknames, with her fans possibly drawing inspiration from amusing incidents.
Although Pegula may feel a bit uneasy about her nickname, her fellow tour competitors didn’t miss the chance to playfully joke about it. Australian Open champion Madison Keys humorously remarked, “She’s basically saying look, we’re just stating facts. Like live with it. Move on,” while Jennifer Brady added, “Yeah. Oh, Dafu large. Large woman.”
Apart from her success in tennis, Pegula’s substantial wealth stems from her father, Terry Pegula, a prominent petroleum magnate who owns the NFL team Buffalo Bills and NHL franchise Buffalo Sabres alongside his wife, Kim. The Pegula family boasts an estimated net worth of $7.5 billion (£5.9 billion), with Jessica Pegula believed to hold a personal net worth of $13 million (£10.2 million).
Having triumphed over opponents like Hailey Baptiste, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Katerina Siniakova, and World No. 1 Sabalenka, the 2024 US Open finalist is now poised to vie for her fourth singles title of the season against Gauff at the Wuhan Open.
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