A funny moment featuring American tennis star Jessica Pegula has caught fans’ attention online. Pegula had a great reaction when she learned about the Chinese nicknames for herself and Emma Navarro. Both players are known for their tennis skills and rich family backgrounds, and the moment shows how tennis connects people around the world.
How Did Jessica Pegula React to Emma Navarro’s Chinese Nickname?
Pegula made it to the China Open after the runner-up finish at the Billie Jean King Cup. She, along with Navarro, helped Team USA reach the final but ultimately bowed out to the defending champions, Italy. During the Beijing tournament, a video went viral showing Pegula’s surprise when she found out Chinese fans call her “Big Rich” and Navarro “Second Rich” or “Younger Rich.”
In the clip, Pegula says, “I’m dying” while laughing hard at the simple nicknames.
When Jpeg finds out Navarro’s nickname is “Second rich/Younger rich” and her nickname is “Big rich” 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/eJZfEmE6Qt
— moonball enthusiast (@ninjaga20) September 24, 2025
Both players come from very wealthy families, and this has gotten a lot of media attention during their careers. Pegula’s father, Terry Pegula, has a reported net worth of about $7 billion. He owns the Buffalo Bills football team and the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. He made his money through East Resources, an oil company he started in 1983 with just $7,500. He later sold parts of the company to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010.
Navarro’s father, Ben Navarro, runs Sherman Financial Group and has a net worth of over $3.2 billion according to Forbes. He owns Credit One Bank and prestigious tennis tournaments like the Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open.
MORE: Emma Navarro Makes Her Feelings Clear About Representing USA After BJK Cup Runner-up Act
Both players have talked about working hard despite their rich backgrounds, with their families supporting their tennis journey since they were young.
What Lies Ahead for Pegula and Navarro?
Both Navarro and Pegula helped Team USA reach the Billie Jean King Cup final during September 16-21, 2025. In the semifinals against Great Britain, both players won tough matches as they made a strong comeback after losing the first set.
Navarro beat Sonay Kartal 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, while Pegula defeated Katie Boulter 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, helping Team USA to reach the final for the first time since 2018. However, they lost to Jasmine Paolini-led Team Italy.
USA HAVE DONE IT! THEY’RE IN THE FINAL 🇺🇸
A record-breaking 31st appearance in the #BJKCup Final and their first since 2018 💪
Watch them take on defending World Champions Italy on Sunday, September 21 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AZzwlFCzDh
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 20, 2025
As of now, Navarro isn’t participating in any of the tournaments and does not have any upcoming matches scheduled. After the BJK Cup, Pegula has arrived for the China Open in Beijing. She is set to team up with compatriot Ashlyn Krueger against the Chinese pair of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan in the round of 32 match in Women’s Doubles on Friday, September 26.
