Raducanu Set for Miami Open Quarter-Finals Clash Against Pegula
British tennis star Emma Raducanu is poised to compete in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Wednesday, a significant milestone marking her deepest run in a WTA 1000 event. Raducanu’s opponent will be Jessica Pegula, the world’s wealthiest tennis player, setting the stage for an intriguing match both on and off the court in this prestigious Miami Open tournament. Pegula, despite her vast family fortune, is a formidable player in her own right, having reached a Grand Slam final in the past year.
Raducanu’s Path to the Quarter-Finals
Raducanu secured her place in the quarter-finals by defeating 17th seed Amanda Anisimova in the round of 16. This victory is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first time since her historic US Open triumph in 2021 that Raducanu has achieved four consecutive main-draw wins on the WTA tour. This consistent performance signals a resurgence for the young Brit and sets up a high-stakes encounter with Pegula.
Pegula: A Fortune Beyond the Baseline
Facing Raducanu across the net will be Jessica Pegula, a 31-year-old American player whose financial status dwarfs even the biggest names in men’s tennis. Pegula’s family boasts an estimated net worth of £7.7 billion, surpassing the combined fortunes of tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. This immense wealth stems from her father, Terry Pegula, a business magnate in the oil and gas industry.
Terry Pegula’s Business Empire
Terry Pegula’s journey to immense wealth began in 1983 with the founding of a natural gas company, starting with a $7,500 investment from family and acquaintances. Capitalizing on fracking technology, his company experienced substantial growth. Subsequently, strategic sales of company branches yielded billions, including a $4.7 billion sale to Royal Dutch Shell and a $1.75 billion transaction with American Energy Partners, LP. He continues to hold ownership in energy firms such as Greater Rocky Mountain Regional Oil & Gas and JKLM Energy.
Jessica Pegula’s Ventures Beyond Tennis
Leveraging her family’s resources, Jessica Pegula has diversified her interests beyond professional tennis. In 2016, she co-founded Healthy Scratch, a restaurant in Buffalo, New York, with her sister Kelly. She also launched a Healthy Scratch food truck venture in 2017, which unfortunately had to cease operations by 2022 due to challenges exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Pegula is the proprietor of Ready 24, a skincare brand, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit.
Pegula’s Tennis Prowess
While her family’s financial empire is noteworthy, Jessica Pegula has also carved out a successful career in professional tennis. Achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in 2022, she has firmly established herself within the elite ranks of women’s tennis. Pegula reached the US Open final last year, ultimately losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She holds three WTA 1000 titles and aims to add another victory against Raducanu in Miami, with her sights ultimately set on capturing her first Grand Slam title.