World's richest tennis player refuses to stay with fellow players at Wimbledon
Jessica Pegula is the wealthiest player on the WTA Tour, thanks to her parents' ownership of the Buffalo Bills, and the American is giving herself every chance of success at Wimbledon
Jessica Pegula, the world's wealthiest tennis player thanks to her family's $7.5 billion fortune, is shaking up Wimbledon traditions by opting out of the usual player accommodations. The American athlete, whose parents own the Buffalo Bills and have MVP Josh Allen as their star quarterback, believes that choosing the right hotel can "make or break" a Grand Slam performance.
With eight singles titles and seven doubles victories on the WTA Tour, Pegula is no novice to success. Following her impressive runner-up finish at last year's U.S. Open, she's aiming for a strong showing at Wimbledon, where her best performance to date was reaching the quarterfinals in 2023.
Pegula's unique approach involves staying at a different hotel from her competitors, a move she feels could give her the edge needed to clinch victory at SW19. She emphasizes the importance of comfort during tournaments, stating, "We're either on the court, or we're in the hotel room," highlighting how crucial a good hotel has become to her routine as she's matured.
- LeBron James makes his feelings clear on NBA Draft superstar Cooper Flagg
- NASCAR teams fear 'catastrophic' consequences in Michael Jordan's court fight
"When you're 20 and you're just starting to travel, you're not complaining that much: you're more out there grinding and embracing life on tour. Once you hit 30 and kind of need a better pillow, that stuff honestly becomes really important."
Pegula has shaken things up by choosing to stay away from the standard tournament accommodations, opting instead for her own preferred spot. She's confident this move will pay off in her favor.
"Oh my gosh, being away from everyone else is a massive thing for me," she shared. "I think that's what maybe sparked this, as well. I just felt like, 'I can't do [player hotels] anymore.
"When you're staying at a tournament hotel, I feel like it's so mentally draining. It's not like anyone is a problem.
"But if you were going to work with someone, you wouldn't necessarily want to eat breakfast with them, practice with them, be in the gym, have lunch, go to the locker room and the physio room with them, and then see them in all the elevators and the hallways.
"I don't think people realize that shouldn't happen, not with the people you're working and competing with every single week. We play pretty much every week together, and so, all of that together, you're ready to lose it."
DON'T MISS
Previously at the French Open, Pegula applied the same tactic, staying near the Champs-Elysees, though her campaign concluded in the fourth round against up-and-comer Lois Boisson.
However, at Wimbledon, Pegula will not face France's top prospect, Lois Boisson, as she exited early in qualifying without receiving a wildcard.
