The roar of the home crowd at the US Open is unlike anything else in tennis. For American players, that energy can be the catalyst for a deep tournament run. Jessica Pegula, who reached the final of last year’s tournament, knows this feeling intimately. The Buffalo native’s connection to the home crowd, fueled by her family’s ties to New York sports, has made her a fan favorite. For Pegula, the journey to a Grand Slam title on home soil is not just about tennis; it’s a deeply personal pursuit forged through family, and a game that has prepared her for life’s toughest moments.
The New York Advantage: Unmatched Energy
There is no place on tour quite like Flushing Meadows for Pegula. She told CNN Sports that the energy is “honestly unmatched,” especially when you’re an American with a deep run in the tournament. The 23,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest arena in the sport, has a reputation for being the loudest in tennis. The atmosphere is so electric that fellow American Frances Tiafoe once said the crowd “felt like 23 million.” For Pegula, who grew up watching the tournament as a kid, the opportunity to now play on those “biggest stages is just the best part about it,” a rewarding experience that feels “unlike anything else.”
Repping the Bills: A Crossover Sensation
Pegula’s story is unique in that it has found an audience beyond the world of tennis. Her family’s ownership of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills has endeared her to a legion of football fans, many of whom have crossed over to support her. “I love being able to connect with Bills fans,” she said. She has embraced her status as a “crossover” athlete, often writing “Go Bills” messages on camera lenses after her wins. The support, which she describes as feeling like they “have to root for me,” has created a powerful sense of community, making her feel like a part of “one giant family” that is competing together.
More Than a Game: Navigating Life’s Challenges
While tennis is her profession, Pegula acknowledges that it will “always come second to family.” That lesson was brutally reinforced in June 2022, when her mother, Kim Pegula, suffered a cardiac arrest. In a powerful article for The Players’ Tribune, Pegula revealed that her sister saved their mother’s life by performing CPR. Despite the immense personal ordeal, Pegula continued to compete. She later said that tennis, with its constant ups and downs, had prepared her to handle such a life-altering event. The sport’s individual nature has taught her to navigate and learn from challenges, and in a time of crisis, the mental fortitude she had built on the court proved invaluable.
Chasing the Dream: A Maiden Grand Slam in New York
Despite her remarkable consistency at the Grand Slams, including reaching the 2024 US Open final where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula has not yet won a major singles title. Her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title will begin against fellow American Emina Bektas in the first round of the 2025 US Open. The journey to a Grand Slam trophy is a difficult one, but for Pegula, the ultimate prize would be winning in New York. The tournament’s energy, her powerful connection with the Buffalo faithful, and the resilience she’s built from a life of challenges have all led her to this moment, where she will once again chase her dream on the biggest stage of them all.
