Pegula Elevates Austin Finalists to Indian Wells in Style: A Jetsetter’s Journey

The finalists from the ATX Open in Austin had a smooth journey to Indian Wells thanks to Jessica Pegula, ranked No. 4 in the world. After winning the singles title by beating McCartney Kessler 7-5, 6-2, Pegula offered to fly everyone on her private jet to the tournament in California.

Pegula’s generosity came just in time, as the players were facing a tight schedule with the WTA 1000 event starting Wednesday. Instead of a long drive to the airport or a late-night layover, they could travel comfortably with her.

Zhang Shuai shared her appreciation on Instagram, noting how selfless Pegula was. She highlighted that Pegula could have easily left right after her win but chose to help her fellow players instead. Zhang emphasized it wasn’t about the jet but rather about sharing kindness.

Anna Blinkova and Yuan Yue also expressed their gratitude online, acknowledging that without Pegula’s offer, they would have spent hours on the road. Yue mentioned, “Otherwise, we would all have been on the road for at least nine hours.”

Pegula, who has earned over $17 million in prize money throughout her career, has shown that her generosity extends beyond the court.