Jessica Pegula sparked a wave of playful reactions from fellow players Madison Keys and Jennifer Brady after “The Player’s Box| podcast posted a charming side-by-side photo of the American star and her father, both wearing wired earphones. The post, which highlighted their matching tech choices, drew immediate attention from the co-hosts, setting off a lighthearted exchange in the comments.
How Did Madison Keys and Jennifer Brady React to Jessica Pegula’s Father–Daughter Moment?
Jessica’s family background has long been a topic of discussion within the tennis world. She is the daughter of Terry Pegula, a self-made American billionaire who built his fortune through East Resources, an oil and natural gas company he later sold for billions. His business success eventually expanded into sports ownership, including the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
Forbes currently estimates his net worth at $9.3 billion, a figure that frequently appears in discussions about the American tennis star’s rise on the WTA Tour. Combined with her mother, Kim Pegula’s, legacy as a former sports executive, the World No. 6 has frequently acknowledged both the public interest in her family and the playful nicknames that come with it.
The photo was shared on the official Instagram page of “The Player’s Box” podcast, which Pegula hosts alongside Keys, Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk. The post, captioned “Like father, like daughter,” appeared on the page with the split image of Jessica and Terry Pegula each sporting wired headphones.
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Keys added a touch of humor with her comment under the post: “Terry knows about the brain melt,” joking about the current shift back toward wired earphones as influencers and celebrities reconsider wireless earbuds due to concerns about brain health.
Brady leaned right into their rich family history. She wrote, “Da fu ^2,” a nod to “Dafu,” the Chinese fan nickname given to Jessica that roughly translates to “Big Rich.”
Chinese fans coined it in reference to her family’s wealth, and it gained even more attention after it was once dropped during an on-court interview when Jessica faced another American player from a wealthy background, Emma Navarro, who is often called “Er Fu” or “Second Rich.”
Pegula Explained How Her Billionaire Father Supported Her Tennis Journey
Pegula spoke about the firm guidance she received from her father, who saw her talent early on. In an August 2025 appearance on the “Tennis Insider Club” with Caroline Garcia, she noted that his strong push played a major part in her career.
“I mean, my dad was definitely more of the crazy one. And, he definitely put pressure on me, but also like, I, like, wanted it — like, I liked it. Like, I didn’t mind it. It wasn’t like I was fighting him on it or like miserable or whatever. Like, I really wanted to play tennis,” she said.
Pegula added that she loved her tennis lessons and spending time at her academy. She noted that her parents saw her passion and knew they could push her a little, adding that they managed it well at that age.