Jessica Pegula, the world's richest tennis player with a family net worth of £5.5 billion, has previously refused to stay at the same hotel as other players during Wimbledon. The American world No. 4 emphasized that accommodation is a critical factor for success at major tournaments.
Pegula's Accommodation Strategy
Pegula, who is heir to her parents Terry and Kim's fortune, which includes NFL side Buffalo Bills, has carved out a remarkable tennis career with 11 singles and seven doubles titles. Despite reaching the US Open final in 2024 and a quarter-final run at Wimbledon in 2023, she has yet to win a major. Ahead of last year's Wimbledon, she stressed the importance of the right hotel, opting to shun the official tournament accommodation.
“We're either on the court or we're in the hotel room. It's such a big part of our lives, and as I've gotten older, a good hotel has become more of a priority,” Pegula said. “When you're 20, you're just starting to travel, you're not complaining: you're grinding and embracing life on tour. Once you hit 30 and need a better pillow, that stuff becomes really important.”
Mental Drain of Player Hotels
Pegula explained her reasoning for avoiding the official hotel, which she also did at the French Open. “Oh my gosh, being away from everyone else is a massive thing for me. I think that's what maybe sparked this. I just felt like, 'I can't do player hotels anymore.' When you're staying at a tournament hotel, it's so mentally draining. It's not like anyone is a problem, but if you were going to work with someone, you wouldn't eat breakfast, practice, gym, lunch, locker room, physio, and see them in elevators and hallways. I don't think people realise that shouldn't happen with the people you're competing with every week. We play every week together, and all that together, you're ready to lose it,” she admitted.
Wimbledon 2026 Prospects
Despite her unique preparation, Pegula suffered a shock first-round exit to Elisabetta Cocciaretto last year. This year, she arrives in encouraging form after reaching a final in Berlin and aims for a deeper run at SW19. Pegula, now 32, continues to prioritize her off-court environment as she seeks her first Grand Slam title.
