Jessica Pegula is poised to compete against Coco Gauff in an all-American final at the Wuhan Open on Sunday, following her victory over top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 7-6. The 31-year-old, known for her substantial wealth, has been affectionately dubbed ‘Dafu’ by her Chinese fans, which translates to ‘Big Rich’ in Mandarin.
During a discussion on the Player’s Box Podcast with fellow tennis stars Maddison Keys, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk, Pegula shared her thoughts on her new nickname. She expressed that while she initially requested a more modest nickname, her Chinese fans were straightforward and stuck with ‘Dafu’.
Although Pegula may feel a bit uneasy about the nickname, her peers in the tennis circuit didn’t miss the chance to playfully comment on it. Australian Open champion Keys humorously remarked, “She’s essentially saying, ‘We’re just stating facts. Deal with it. Move on,'” while Brady added, “Yeah, Dafu large. Large woman.”
Apart from her success in tennis, Pegula’s substantial fortune stems from her father, Terry Pegula, who is a prominent figure in the petroleum industry and also owns the NFL team Buffalo Bills and NHL franchise Buffalo Sabres with his wife, Kim. The Pegula family’s estimated net worth stands at an impressive $7.5 billion (£5.9 billion), with Jessica Pegula believed to have a personal net worth of $13 million (£10.2 million).
Having defeated Hailey Baptiste, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Katerina Siniakova, and World No. 1 Sabalenka to reach the Wuhan Open final, Pegula is now aiming for her fourth singles title of the season against Gauff.