With the women’s field looking promising at the US Open, many thought this could be the year an American lifted the trophy once again. Jessica Pegula, in particular, looked poised to seize the opportunity. But as fate would have it, destiny had other plans. Now, she finds herself entangled in a controversy that took some of the shine off her performance. While critics have been quick to weigh in, she also has her support system intact and the latest to come to her defense is none other than Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs.

Pegula witnessed a baffling defeat against Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets 7-5, 7-5, in the finals of the US Open. But her efforts seemed to be outshined by her billionaire status as she received immense flak from tennis enthusiasts. Many questioned her wealthy status and highlighted that despite having more resources than players who even fail to get basic amenities, Pegula failed to clinch a Grand Slam yet again. A similar scene was witnessed for Emma Navarro who also lost to Sabalenka in the semifinals of the tournament. But amidst the criticism, Stubbs has come out in Pegula’s defence. 

Taking to her X, the 53-year-old compared Pegula and Navarro to Serena Williams and Venus Williams. “Anyone who thinks because someone comes from money guarantees success, has no clue! Venus & Serena came from nothing but they worked theirs a–es off to be great,” Stubbs wrote. The Williams sisters received training from their father at a very young age and eventually made a place for themselves in the sport which did not have as many black athletes. Stubbs highlighted that even Pegula and Navarro are working equally hard. 

“Jess & Emma worked the same amount on court and off too. Were they better off, yes, does it help u WIN, NO!” In yet another post, Stubbs continued her digs sharp at the critics of Pegula and Navarro. “Being rich doesn’t make u a better tennis player, because in the end, it’s about the work YOU PUT INTO IT!! And u could argue, why? Why put yourself thru all that when u don’t need the money. I have so much respect for them, because THEY HAVE EARNED IT! By working their a–es off.” Remember, both Pegula and Navarro hail from a financially rich background. 

Pegula’s father, Terry, owns multiple sports teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Recently, Forbes estimated his net worth to be around $7.7 billion, a majority of which has been amassed through his oil and gas business. On the other hand, Navarro’s father, Ben, is the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group, which has helped him amass a fortune of $1.5 billion as of May 2024, per Forbes. Meanwhile, Stubbs is not the only one who has come out in support of Pegula. 

When the sequence of backlashes continued to mount, the American WTA star witnessed the support of Eugenie Bouchard. “Money can’t buy a US Open final,” Bouchard wrote, suggesting that despite all the resources at her disposal, Pegula couldn’t have made it to a Grand Slam final without her talent and hard work. But Pegula has often witnessed such criticism and has now learned to deal with it. 

“It’s kind of funny” – Jessica Pegula opens up about dealing with criticism over her billionaire status

The tennis community has often found itself in controversies and Jessica Pegula is no different. Despite the immense talent she possesses, the tennis star has received immense backlash for not failing to win even one title despite the fortune that is available at her disposal. She has also heard several rumors about herself but has now learned to deal with it. 

Speaking in an interview, Pegula said, “It’s kind of annoying that people think I have a butler, that I get chauffeured around. I have a private limo, that I fly private everywhere….I’m definitely not like that,” per Express. “It’s a little annoying, but honestly I just think it’s kind of funny because I don’t really even know anyone that lives like that. It’s outrageous,” she added.

For now, it would be interesting to see if Jessica Pegula would respond to the criticism herself. Will the series of backlashes against her end anytime soon? Well, only time will tell.