Jessica Pegula has revealed how the tough love from her father, Terry Pegula, played a crucial role in shaping her tennis career. Speaking while competing at the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, where she advanced by defeating Australian player Kimberly Birrell in the round of 64, Jessica highlighted how her father’s demanding support fueled her determination.
Terry Pegula, a billionaire businessman owning the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Buffalo Bandits, identified Jessica’s natural talent early and pushed her to excel. His daughter, who has won nine ATP Tour singles titles, also benefits from the influence of her South Korean–American mother, Kim Pegula.
On the Tennis Insider Club podcast with Caroline Garcia and Borja Duran, Jessica shared candid insights into how her father’s intense encouragement was welcomed, not resisted.
“I mean, my dad was definitely more of the crazy one. And, he definitely put pressure on me, but also like, I like wanted it, like I liked it. Like, I didn’t mind it. It wasn’t like I was fighting him on it or like miserable or whatever. Like, I really wanted to play tennis.” —Jessica Pegula, Tennis Player
She further expressed her enthusiasm for training early on, which made her father‘s pressure feel supportive rather than overwhelming.
“I loved going to my tennis lessons, I loved going to my academy. Like, that was what I wanted to do. And I think they just saw that and they, they knew like they could push me a little bit. So, I felt like they did a good job of that at that age.” —Jessica Pegula, Tennis Player
The Early Tennis Years and Family Influence Behind Pegula’s Passion
Jessica explained how her love of tennis developed from following her older sister, Kelly Pegula, who played tennis in both high school and college. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by family involvement at their local tennis club, she began taking lessons after school.
“My older sister played tennis. She played in college, in high school. I just started taking lessons after school. At our tennis club, my parents played for fun and where my older sister trained. That’s really kind of how I started,” —Jessica Pegula, Tennis Player
She also has a brother, Matthew, completing the family background that supported her early growth in the sport.
Current Tournament Progress and Upcoming Matches
At the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, Pegula is preparing to face Magda Linette in her next singles match following her win over Kimberly Birrell. Additionally, in doubles competition, Jessica Pegula paired with Hailey Baptiste to defeat Ashlyn Krueger and Iva Jović in the round of 32. The duo will next compete against Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in the round of 16.
Impact of Family’s Commitment on Pegula’s Career and Future Outlook
Jessica Pegula’s experience reflects how her father’s relentless expectation and her parents’ overall involvement in tennis created a foundation for her resilience and ambition. This combination of tough love and supportive environment has helped her to develop a strong mental and physical edge essential for high-level competition.
As she advances in major tournaments like the Cincinnati Masters, her story underscores the blend of family influence and personal determination necessary to succeed in professional tennis. The role of Terry and Kim Pegula, alongside her siblings, remains significant in shaping Jessica’s journey on and off the court.