At the 2025 US Open, Jessica Pegula beat Mayar Sherif, Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka, Ann Li, and most recently, Barbora Krejčíková. As she is getting ready for her semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka, let’s take a look at who is in the American’s box at the New York Major.
Jessica Pegula’s Family: Parents, Sister, and Husband
Pegula’s family has been a supportive presence in the stands. Her parents, billionaire owners of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, Terry and Kim Pegula, might not be present in player’s box. The American has, however, confirmed that they have been attending her matches.
Jessica’s sister Kelly is also often spotted at her matches. She has actively cheered on the tennis star in New York this year.
The World No. 4 has often given credit to her sister for saving their mother’s life by performing CPR during a medical emergency in 2022. She gets strong sibling support from her brother Matthew as well, who is also seen in the box sometimes.
And she was at my last two matches 🫶🏼 https://t.co/WaSRBvFlkW
— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) September 2, 2025
One more constant but low-key supporter from her family is her husband, Taylor Gahagen. He is a business professional, studied at SUNY Fredonia and Canisius College, worked with Pegula Sports and Entertainment, and now serves as managing partner at Dragos Capital and Agarwood Wealth. The couple got married in 2021.
Pegula’s Coaching Team
Pegula ended her five-year run with David Witt, who had also coached Venus Williams. With Witt, she won her first WTA singles title but the tennis star looked for something fresh and decided to move on.
Pegula’s box now includes a new coaching team. She started working with coaches Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein in early 2024. Knowles is a former World No. 1 and a three-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, while Merklein is also an accomplished doubles player. Both are from the Bahamas.
After teaming up with Knowles and Merklein, Pegula has achieved big milestones in 2024, including winning her second Canadian Open title and reaching her first Grand Slam final at the US Open. In 2025, she earned her first clay-court title at the Charleston Open.
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Along with her main coaches, Pegula’s box includes her hitting partners, physiotherapists, and fitness trainers, all working to ensure her top performance at every stage.
If Pegula triumphs over Sabalenka, she will face either two-time champiom Naomi Osaka or Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final.
