Following a successful run at the BNP Paribas Open in October 2021, tennis star Jessica Pegula married her longtime partner Taylor Gahagen. The couple exchanged vows at the stunning Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, surrounded by loved ones. After six years together, Pegula and Gahagen celebrated their union with Pegula in a classic white gown and Gahagen in a stylish blue suit. And who knew three years later, it would turn out to be the “craziest experience” for her fan? You must be wondering how?

Well, billionaire tennis star Jessica Pegula recently spilled the beans on some of her wildest experiences on tour during a pre-tournament press conference in Adelaide. “Well, with a fan, I think I signed in Asia my wedding picture, a printed-out picture from my wedding. I’ve definitely not done that before. Then they kept it, which is weird. That was bizarre, for sure. I think that was in China,” she shared, describing the unusual encounter.

The encounter came after Jessica Pegula notched her 17th win in her last 19 matches with a 6-7(9), 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 32 seed Veronika Kudermetova at the China Open on Sunday. It was also Pegula’s first win over Kudermetova in three attempts.

When asked about chaotic experiences involving other players, the World No.7 reflected on the shared chaos of tennis travel. “We have a lot of, like, I’m sure I’ve had a lot of crazy travel experiences with players, just missing flights, missing trips. Chaos kind of consumes when you both are kind of on the same travel schedule or flights in between tournaments.” However, she admitted she’d need more time to recall the craziest one.

Apart from the crazy tour life, the American tennis player has also dabbled in the business world. She actually comes from a prominent business family. Her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, are the owners of the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Buffalo Sabres (NHL). Following in their entrepreneurial footsteps, Pegula launched her own skincare brand, Ready24, where her husband, Taylor Gahagen, takes on the role of Vice President. Gahagen, who was her partner for six years before they tied the knot in October 2021, is a regular at her matches, offering unwavering support from the stands.

Balancing her tennis career with significant business ventures, Pegula’s decision to compete in Adelaide also underscores her determination to stay on track for a strong Australian Open performance despite the setbacks.

Jessica Pegula eyes a strong start to the 2025 season

Jessica Pegula is gearing up for her 2025 season after a challenging end to 2024. At the WTA Finals, the American couldn’t progress beyond the third round, withdrawing from her match against Coco Gauff due to a left knee injury. Initially set to begin her 2025 campaign at the Brisbane International, Pegula had to delay her return to ensure full recovery.

Now, she has made a bold decision as she kicks off her 2025 season, opting to play at the Adelaide International just a week before the Australian Open. She typically opts for several warm-up tournaments ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, but due to a recent knee injury, her preparation schedule was altered. Speaking about her plans at the Adelaide International, she shared,

“Normally, I’d probably play more than one [tournament] before a Slam, maybe not the week before a Slam. At the same time, I was dealing with an injury. That’s just kind of how the schedule worked out. I’m excited to definitely play some matches before going into the Australian Open.”

As the top seed in Adelaide, the American tennis sensation will get a first-round bye, meaning her first match will be against either Linda Noskova or Maria Sakkari in the second round. The competition will not only test Pegula’s physical condition but also provide her with an opportunity to regain her rhythm and build confidence before heading to Melbourne Park.

After a disappointing exit in the second round of the 2024 Australian Open, where she lost to Clara Burel in straight sets, Pegula will be looking to make a fresh start. With her eyes set, Pegula is determined to regain her form. Can she bounce back from last year’s early exit and make a deeper run in 2025?