US Open star's billionaire dad docks controversial £74m superyacht to watch her play

Terry Pegula, father of Jessica Pegula, has anchored his £74million superyacht in Manhasset Bay, Long Island, as he prepares to watch his daughter compete in the US Open semi-final on Thursday. Jessica Pegula secured her place in the last four following a victory over Barbora Krejcikova. She is set to face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

This match will be a repeat of the 2024 US Open final, with Pegula previously voicing her concerns after being "killed" by Sabalenka in a practice session.

Terry Pegula owns several sports teams, with his most valuable asset being the NFL franchise, the Buffalo Bills. His daughter often receives support from Bills fans due to her family's ownership, and now the franchise owner has made the trip to New York City to cheer her on as she aims for her maiden Grand Slam title.

The winner of the US Open will pocket £3.75m, but for Pegula, capturing that elusive Grand Slam is the main goal. Pegula will have the home crowd advantage against Sabalenka, and her father will also be cheering her on inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The £74m yacht, which has proved controversial with the Bills fanbase given he is using taxpayer dollars to fund their new stadium, is moored in Long Island, approximately 30 minutes from Arthur Ashe Stadium. If Pegula defeats Sabalenka on and books her place in her second major final, she'll be back in action on Saturday.

Regardless of Pegula's result in the semi-finals, the Bills owner is expected to return to Buffalo for the team's opening game of the NFL season on Sunday. The Bills are set to host the Baltimore Ravens.

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Pegula - a huge Bills supporter - often finds her tennis career intertwined with the world of American football. Following her fourth-round victory over Ann Li, the player stated: "It's also fun to see this kind of crossover with Bills fans, even if I am far away."

She noted the support from afar as she explained: "Like in Qatar, I see people in the stands wearing Bills jerseys."

Despite her deep connections to the Bills, Pegula is determined to forge her own path beyond her family's influence. Set to inherit a significant fortune, Pegula has been vocal about not viewing her family's wealth as her own. Addressing questions about her family's net worth, Pegula stated: "Yeah, I mean, people say that. I personally don't have that money. It's probably my dad [who has it] or my parents."

She expressed her understanding of public perception, acknowledging: "I don't know why that kind of stuck. I mean, I understand, though. My family obviously is pretty well-known back in America.

"I mean, it is what it is. It doesn't really bother me. It would be nice if people didn't say that. But do I really care? I mean, not really. It is what is. But, yeah, I don't really think it matters how much money you have."

Pegula is set to clash with Sabalenka for the 10th time in her career, having only managed to defeat the current US Open champion on two occasions. Following her successful defence of her Australian Open title in 2024, Sabalenka is aiming for a similar triumph in New York.

This article first appeared on Mirror US.