If Emma Navarro overcomes Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, the 2024 US Open will have an extremely interesting women's singles final. It will not only be an American derby between Navarro and Jessica Pegula, but also a match of... billionaires.
However, Navarro could not beat the Belarusian second seed, leaving a big challenge for Pegula, the sixth seed who came from behind to beat Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.
In the women's singles final tonight (1:00 a.m. September 8 - Vietnam time), Pegula and Sabalenka will compete for the championship trophy and $3.6 million in prize money, but that amount is only a small fraction of the American player's.
Pegula has had a successful career, winning six titles and even holding the world No. 1 ranking last year. Those achievements alone would make her incredibly wealthy. But it's her family's staggering net worth that has made her the richest tennis player in the world.
Pegula's father, Terry, owns the Buffalo Bills in the NFL and the Buffalo Sabres in the US NHL. He has an estimated net worth of $7 billion (£5.4 billion), which Jessica and her three siblings will one day inherit.
He is listed as one of the 500 richest people in the world. Terry made his money in the oil and gas industry before turning to sports.
While Pegula may draw on her father's vast fortune, she is also a millionaire in her own right, raking in more than £10 million in prize money and sponsorship deals.
Last year she was ranked the seventh highest-earning female athlete, with a personal net worth of more than £10 million.
Pegula admits that her upbringing has been a topic of discussion for many, but she maintains that her success in the sport is due to hard work.
"There may be people who don't want to like me for whatever reason," she told Forbes. "But I can't really change their minds. I've worked so hard and I definitely wouldn't have gotten here without that."
While her tennis career continues to flourish, Pegula also has future ambitions off the court, having previously confessed that she wants to succeed her father as head of the NFL.
In 2021, Pegula married Taylor Gahagen in an elaborate ceremony that reportedly included a seven-tiered wedding cake. Gahagen previously served as CEO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for the Sabres.
They are avid animal lovers and have set up a charity called 'A Lending Paw' which helps rescue dogs find new homes. They are proud owners of three dogs named Maddie, Dexter and Tucker.
Pegula's business ventures include skincare brand Ready 24, which she founded in 2017. The company offers products like vitamin C cleansers, lavender mists, and moisturizers.
Emma Navarro 's father , Ben, is the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group, owner of Credit One, with a net worth of approximately $1.5 billion.
