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Jessica Pegula has hit back at those who questioned her commitment to tennis because of her billionaire family. The WTA No 5 is the world\u2019s richest tennis player as her parents Terry and Kim own the Buffalo Bills, with her father having a net worth of \u00a35.4 million ($6.8m). But Pegula rubbished the idea that she didn\u2019t work hard for her career and addressed whether she would follow in her parents\u2019 footsteps by taking over their NFL and NHL teams when she eventually retired.<\/p>\n
Pegula has cemented herself as one of the world\u2019s best players in recent years. The 29-year-old has peaked at No 3 in singles and sat atop the rankings in doubles, with her success earning her a place in Forbes\u2019 30 Under 30 list for sports in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since reaching her first Major quarter-final in 2021, Pegula has made it to five more and lifted two WTA 1000 trophies. While it means that the American\u2019s recent rise has been well documented, her family\u2019s wealth has also been a big talking point. Her mother and father own the NFL team the Buffalo Bills and NHL side the Buffalo Sabres.<\/p>\n
Pegula has now addressed those who have questioned whether she had the fire to succeed in her sport given her background, admitting that she couldn\u2019t change the minds of those who don\u2019t like her. \u201cI think that everyone who knows sports or is an athlete, or is highly competitive or made it very far knows that you\u2019re not really going to get there unless you work hard and are talented and are really driven to get there,\u201d the world No 5 told Forbes.<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news.<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> Boris Becker laid out brutal requirement to take Holger Rune coaching role[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really difficult. So to me I think, people say that, but I think everyone who knows, knows it\u2019s not going happen unless someone\u2019s really a hard worker and driven. So I don\u2019t really worry too much about it. I think most people get that.\u201d<\/p>\n The four-time singles title winner knew that some still wouldn\u2019t believe her but she still backed herself, adding: \u201cMaybe some people that just don\u2019t want to like me for whatever reason maybe will always say that. But I can\u2019t really change their minds. But I\u2019ve worked really hard and I definitely wouldn\u2019t have gotten here if it wasn\u2019t for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Given that the Bills and the Sabres are part of her family business, there has often been speculation over whether Pegula would swap tennis for NFL and hockey when she eventually retires by taking over both teams. The 29-year-old has now hinted that she could be tempted, citing her desire to stay involved in sport.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5091178.jpg?r=1701260038072\")
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