Billionaire WTA star Jessica Pegula has re-established herself at the top of the WTA after her run to the US Open final, while Emma Navarro enters the top 10 for the first time this week.
While all the talk was about whether Coco Gauff could defend her US Open title and deal with her summer of dodgy form, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro were quietly clambering up the WTA rankings.
A thrilling year for Navarro has seen her better her performance at nearly every given opportunity.
She picked up her first WTA title in Hobart at the beginning of the year before a run to the fourth round of the French Open and maiden last eight appearance at Wimbledon shoved her into the top 20.
At the US Open, New York born Navarro stormed to the semi’s before losing in three sets to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Pegula won the title in Toronto before her debut Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows, yet both stars have come under fire for their wealthy backgrounds.
Rennae Stubbs defends Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro in wealth row
Pegula and Navarro are both the daughters of billionaires – Terry Pegula owns two sports teams including the Buffalo Bills, while Ben Navarro is the founder of Sherman Financial Group.
With their recent success, criticism has rained down suggesting the pair have sort of ‘bought’ their success.
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard responded jokingly to a post on X by a user expressing confusion at the criticism directed at the American pair. She said: “Money can’t buy a US Open final lol.”
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs was outraged at the idea the American pair haven’t put in the work for their success.
On a long post on X, she said: “One thing I want to address that I didn’t on my pod today – You can’t buy your way to the top 10 or a major final without an extraordinary amount of hard work on the tennis court, in the gym and having mental fortitude and guts.
“Anyone who thinks because someone comes from money guarantees success, has no clue!” Stubbs lashed out. “Venus & Serena [Williams] came from nothing but they worked theirs asses off to be great. Jess & Emma worked the same amount on court and off too. Were they better off, yes, does it help u WIN, NO!
“Being rich doesn’t make u a better tennis player,” she said. “Because in the end, it’s about the work YOU PUT INTO IT!! And u could argue, why? Why put yourself thru all that when u don’t need the money. I have so much respect for them, because THEY HAVE EARNED IT! By working their asses off.
“So stop with the narratives out there that because they’re wealthy, they got there. That’s nonsense and i won’t hear it! I see what it takes to be that good in this tennis world and to win at this level and what they’ve achieved is purely because of THEIR WORK ETHIC! Period!”
Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro have stepped in when Coco Gauff couldn’t
Navarro’s astonishing year has seen her defeat Gauff on two consecutive occasions in the fourth round of Grand Slams.
The 20-year-old’s slump in form came at a peculiar time of American tennis ascension, with five US players in the top 20 on each tour.
Navarro has predicted a bright future for American tennis, with the 23-year-old having moved up to a. career-high ranking of eighth in the world.
She has highlight who might be the next US tennis star on the WTA Tour, with the American contingent growing increasingly stronger as the year progresses.
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