Aryna Sabalenka, currently ranked as the world’s top female tennis player, secured a decisive victory at the Miami Open on Saturday. She defeated American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, claiming her first Miami Open title and the 19th WTA victory of her career. This win elevates her tally to eight WTA 1000 titles, alongside her three Grand Slam championships. Beyond the prestige of titles, the significant prize money in professional tennis supports players, often leading to lighthearted moments like Danielle Collins’ joke about sharing “big fat paycheck” with her friends. Following this trend, Aryna Sabalenka’s trophy acceptance speech at the Miami Open generated amusement among fans. What exactly did she say to Jessica Pegula?

Sabalenka’s journey to this victory was nothing short of remarkable. She has now become the third WTA No. 1 to reach the finals of the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open in the same year—a testament to her consistency and skill. Her performance against Pegula showcased her evolution as a player, mixing powerful shots with finesse and strategy. Despite their intense rivalry, Sabalenka and Pegula shared a heartfelt moment during the trophy presentation.

The Belarusian expressed her admiration for Pegula, saying, “First of all Jess, I’m so sorry, for real. If I could share the trophy with someone, trophy, prize money, points, everything—I would definitely share it with you.” She praised Pegula as an incredible player who always pushes her to play her best.

Fun fact: Their last meeting was during the 2024 US Open final, where Sabalenka secured a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Pegula. Currently, Sabalenka leads their head-to-head series 7-2, having won their last three encounters, all of which were finals.

In the end, Sabalenka’s victory was a celebration of her growth as a player and her respect for her opponents. She concluded her speech by saying, “Continue doing what you’re doing, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to play many more finals. I’m not sure about the results because I honestly don’t want to lose in the finals—it sucks, I know! But I always enjoy playing against you. You’re an incredible person, player, thank you so much.”

While the speech was touching, her words were met with a hint of irony.

Fans are amused by Aryna Sabalenka’s offer to share the prize money with Jessica Pegula

One fan quipped, “Jess has more money than that prize money 😜,” noting that Sabalenka earned $1,124,380 as the champion, while Pegula took home $597,890 as the runner-up. Another hilariously added, “Prize money…. Girl, she can buy the whole WTA if she wants.” Now, can’t she?

Jessica Pegula, the world’s fourth-ranked tennis player, comes from a family with significant wealth. Her father, Terry Pegula, is an oil and gas billionaire, and her mother, Kim Pegula, is a South Korean-born businesswoman who previously served as the president of the family’s sports holding company. As of September 2024, Terry Pegula is estimated to be the 378th richest person globally, with a net worth of approximately $7.7 billion. Now, you may wonder, what constitutes this figure?

He amassed his fortune through his oil and gas company, East Resources. In 2010, he sold a substantial portion of the company to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion. Subsequently, he diversified his investments into sports, purchasing the Buffalo Sabres hockey team in 2011 for $189 million and the Buffalo Bills NFL team in 2014 for $1.4 billion. The values of both teams have since increased considerably, with Forbes estimating the Bills’ value at $4.2 billion and the Sabres at $750 million in their most recent valuations. And Pegula’s own wealth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jessica Pegula’s net worth was estimated at $10 million as of February 10th, 2025. Her earnings in 2024 alone totaled $8.2 million, positioning her as the 13th highest-paid female athlete in Sportico’s Top 15 list. This income is comprised of $4.2 million in winnings and $4 million from endorsements with brands like Adidas, Yonex, Ready Nutrition, Dyson James Limited, and IBM. 3 This substantial income, combined with her family’s significant wealth, makes her already a very successful and financially secure athlete.

Despite the jokes about her wealth, fans also highlighted Pegula’s focus and likability on tour. One wrote, “JPeg doesn’t care about prize money though 😂, all she wants is the title,” pointing out her priorities. Pegula has been one of the most consistent players in recent years, reaching multiple finals including the 2025 Adelaide International and even her first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open and the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

Another fan affectionately called her “[Translated from Italian] Jessie is the people’s billionaire princess.” to further highlight how fans view the player. However, while Pegula acknowledges her undeniably wealthy background – having expressed annoyance at the assumption that her billionaire parents provide her with luxuries like butlers, limousines, and private jets, finding it frustrating that her success is automatically attributed to their wealth – she consistently emphasizes, “I can’t really change their minds. I’ve worked really hard (in tennis) and I definitely wouldn’t have gotten here if it wasn’t for that.”

One noted, “I just know JPeg is well-liked on tour 🩷.” Sabalenka echoed this sentiment in her speech after the final, saying, “You’re an incredible person, player, thank you so much. Wow, that was long; you see how much I like this girl!” Pegula’s friendships with players like Madison Keys and Coco Gauff further highlight her positive reputation among peers.

Ultimately, these reactions reflect a mix of humor and admiration for Pegula’s wealth, talent, and personality.