The pressure of competing at the highest level extends beyond the court. For many athletes, family support becomes crucial during these defining moments. Jessica Pegula discovered this firsthand during her remarkable 2025 US Open run, where her mother’s rare appearance provided an emotional boost that helped carry her to the semifinals.
How Did Kim Pegula’s Presence Impact Jessica’s US Open Campaign?
Pegula delivered a phenomenal campaign at Flushing Meadows, ultimately falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinal to Aryna Sabalenka. Throughout the tournament, her resilience was strengthened by her mother Kim’s presence, which she had earlier acknowledged with delight during the campaign.
After her semifinal defeat, Pegula addressed questions about her mother’s attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The significance of Kim’s presence became clear when Pegula explained how unusual it was for her mother to attend matches in person.
“I don’t know, was she here today? I don’t really know. She’s been here the last couple of matches, so l’m assuming she was here today, which has been really nice because she hasn’t seen me play live at all. It was probably the first time since like a while ago, because she never liked to watch me play because she would get too nervous,” she said in her post-match press conference.
The family support extended beyond just her mother’s presence. Pegula thrived on the energy from the roaring Arthur Ashe crowd, describing the stadium as the ultimate venue for American players.
“So it was really nice having my family here, having that support here. The crowd was insane as always. At Arthur Ashe 7p.m, there’s no place better to play as an American. And so, that’s something that was really fun. The atmosphere is incredible like always,” she added.
What Controversy Surrounded the Pegula Family’s $100 Million Yacht?
As the daughter of billionaire parents Terry and Kim Pegula, who own the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, Jessica’s success attracted attention beyond her tennis achievements. While she dominated at Flushing Meadows, her father, Terry, ensured the family’s presence was felt in a big way. He anchored his massive superyacht, ‘Top Five II,’ in waters within reach of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With Jess Pegula playing in the US Open semifinal tomorrow night, her dad, Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, has anchored his $100 million yacht in Manhasset Bay on Long Island.
That’s about a 30-minute drive to watch her play at Arthur Ashe. pic.twitter.com/KugmM16Yns
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 3, 2025
The luxurious vessel, valued between $75-100 million, features impressive amenities including six suites that accommodate 12 guests, along with a sauna, cinema, glass-walled spa pool, gym, and lounge. When reporters asked if her family traveled to the US Open aboard the yacht anchored off Long Island, Pegula seemed somewhat disconnected from the details.
“I think so. I don’t really know where they have been staying. I think they were anchored somewhere, but I haven’t been or seen them. I just see them after the matches, so I’m not really sure what they’ve been doing on the other days,” she said.
However, the yacht’s presence sparked significant controversy beyond the tennis world. The display of wealth became a sore point for Buffalo Bills fans, who criticized Terry Pegula’s opulence. At the same time, New York taxpayers covered $850 million of the team’s $2.1 billion stadium cost. This represented the most significant public contribution ever for an NFL stadium, making the yacht’s prominent display particularly contentious among fans who helped fund the facility.
