Jessica Pegula clinched her seventh WTA Tour title by defeating fellow American McCartney Kessler in straight sets at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Her victory marked her first title since August last year and set the stage for her upcoming matches at Indian Wells, California. Demonstrating her generosity, Pegula invited fellow players to join her on a private jet to California, saving them from potential late-night transfers in Los Angeles or flights from Dallas or Houston.
Zhang Shuai, a Chinese tennis player, took to Instagram to express her gratitude for Pegula's kindness.
"You know she can leave away right after her singles final, but she is such a selfless and generous girl." – Zhang Shuai
Pegula responded to Zhang's post, playfully commenting, "You’re too cute." The act of generosity was described by Zhang as Pegula's way of "transferring the love," underscoring the camaraderie shared among the players.
The trip to California covered roughly 1,200 miles and highlighted Pegula's considerate spirit. She waited until the women's doubles final concluded before embarking on the journey. Anna Blinkova, another doubles finalist, also shared Zhang's Instagram post, further acknowledging Pegula's gesture.
Pegula is set to begin her campaign at the Indian Wells tournament with a bye in the first round. She will take to the court on Friday for her opening match.
As the daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula, billionaire owners of the Buffalo Bills, Jessica Pegula has access to resources that allow her to extend such generous offers. However, her recent actions demonstrate that her priorities reach beyond her own success. By offering fellow players a lift on her private jet, she exemplified a level of sportsmanship that resonates beyond the tennis court.
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