Jessica Pegula, whose family fortune surpasses £6billion, stands as the richest competitor in professional tennis today.
The 31-year-old American is the offspring of Terry and Kim Pegula, proprietors of NFL franchise the Buffalo Bills.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, she is gearing up for the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne.
Despite having access to extraordinary wealth, Pegula continues her determined quest to cement her position among the sport's finest players.
Jessica Pegula is ranked sixth in the world
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Her persistence in pursuing tennis excellence, when financial necessity plays no part in her motivation, has proven to her relatives that her dedication springs from authentic love for the game.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of the tournament, Kim Pegula expressed her puzzlement at her daughter's unwavering commitment to the sport.
"I remember thinking: 'Why would she want to keep doing this?'" she said.
The mother of the tennis star drew comparisons with other players on the women's tour.
"There are other women whose families are relying on them through tennis but she doesn't have that worry," Kim Pegula observed.
Jessica Pegula beat Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 to reach the next round of the Australian Open
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She added: "She doesn't have to do this and her life would be so much easier if she didn't [play]. But it's because she loves this sport and she's truly doing it for herself."
Pegula has accumulated an impressive collection of silverware throughout her career, capturing nine singles titles alongside seven doubles championships.
Yet the one prize that continues to elude the American is a Grand Slam singles crown.
Her pursuit of that maiden major triumph has been repeatedly frustrated by fitness difficulties over the years.
The world number six arrives in Melbourne still searching for that breakthrough victory at one of tennis's four most prestigious tournaments.
Her career trajectory demonstrates that raw talent and financial backing alone cannot guarantee success at the sport's highest level, where physical resilience remains paramount.
Pegula has acknowledged that her preparations for the season's opening Grand Slam fell below her usual standards.
"I didn't have the best pre-season because I had a couple of injuries," she revealed on The Player's Box podcast. "So I didn't get a lot of good loading days for a consistent amount of time."
The American described her recent competitive schedule as "a shock to the system" after playing four matches across four days.
Terry Pegula is the billionaire owner of the Buffalo Bills
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However, she welcomed the demanding encounters as valuable preparation.
"I'm glad that I had three really close, tight, tough matches, with a lot of pressure games, pressure points. Because you can't replicate it," Pegula explained.