I am my own person: Pegula hits back at NFL connection

American Jessica Pegula has cheekily hit back at claims she only won through to the Australian Open quarter-finals because she is the daughter of the billionaire owners of the Buffalo Bills NFL team.

Pegula’s achievement drew the attention of ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter who pointed out the connection between Pegula and the NFL.

“Jessica Pegula, daughter of (Buffalo) Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula, just upset the fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals. Her run continues,” Schefter tweeted.

A few hours later, Pegula responded:

“*American Jessica Pegula WTA tour/professional tennis player (winking face),” she wrote.

The Pegula family is said to be worth $5 billion, they won the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

“Tennis is my thing, it’s my job, it’s my career,” Pegula said.

It’s very separate. My parents don’t really have any say right now in anything I do on the court.”