Jessica Pegula, born on February 24, 1994, in Buffalo, NY, is currently ranked No. 3 in the world in women's singles tennis. She began playing tennis at the age of 7 and has become a significant figure in the sport, known for her determined playstyle and her backhand down the line.
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Recently, Pegula has been working with coaches Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein after parting ways with David Witt, who had previously coached her alongside Michael Joyce. She has a close-knit family, with parents Terrence and Kim, who are principal owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. She also has two brothers, Michael and Matthew, and two sisters, Laura and Kelly; Laura played Division I college tennis at the University of Pittsburgh. Pegula owns a skincare company called 'Ready 24' and is passionate about golf, sports, and design. Married to Taylor Gahagen in October 2021, she is also involved in a charity project with her husband called A Lending Paw.
Pegula's career highlights include winning a total of 11 singles titles, with significant wins in 2025 at Charleston and Dubai, and previous championships in Montreal and Seoul in 2023. She was a finalist 13 times, including at the US Open in 2024. In doubles, she has secured 7 titles, notably teaming with Coco Gauff to win multiple tournaments, including Doha and Miami in 2023. Pegula also reached the mixed doubles final at the 2023 US Open.
Throughout her career, Pegula has achieved various milestones, including a semifinal finish at the WTA Finals in 2025 and ranking within the top 10 for three consecutive years. She notably qualified for the WTA Finals in both singles and doubles, a first for an American player since Lindsay Davenport in 1994. Pegula's resilience is evident in her comeback after a knee injury sidelined her for a year and a half from 2013 to 2015, and she has since established herself as a leading player in women's tennis.