Jessica Pegula’s father’s superyacht makes headlines as she advances at the US Open

Bahar O.

At the US Open, Jessica Pegula is focused on her game, but off the court, attention turns to her billionaire father, his £58 million superyacht, and her status as the “richest racket in tennis.”

Pegula, ranked World No. 4, has carved out a reputation for being generous and grounded. She’s been known to treat fellow players to flights on her family’s private jet — a gesture that has earned her as many headlines as her backhand. Still, her personal net worth of £11.6 million feels modest compared to the fortune waiting in the wings. Her father, Terry Pegula, built a £5.4 billion empire in oil and gas and also owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Then there’s Top Five II, the family’s 61-metre superyacht. With a pool, sauna, jacuzzi, fire pit and sprawling decks, it looks less like a boat and more like a floating resort. Even its name carries meaning — “Top Five” stands for the Pegulas’ five children, all of whom the yacht is intended to be passed down to.
For Jessica, however, the attention often feels secondary. While the world marvels at the luxury surrounding her, she remains focused on the sport she loves, chasing the Grand Slam title that still eludes her. As she advances at the US Open, her story is a reminder that even when wealth and privilege make the headlines, it’s still the work done between the lines of a tennis court that defines a player.

The 61.01 m (200'2") motor yacht Top Five II, with a beam of 11.2 m (36'9") and a draft of 3.33 m (10'11"), was built in 2021 by Dutch shipyard Royal Hakvoort. The yacht features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, designed by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design for both exterior and interior styling. Accommodation is available for up to 12 guests across six cabins, including a full-beam Owner’s suite, one VIP cabin, two doubles, and two flexible double/twin cabins. Onboard amenities include a sundeck with swimming pool, loungers, bar, BBQ, and firepit, a beach club with gym and sauna, a movie theatre, elevator, jacuzzi, and Wi-Fi connectivity. For watersports, Top Five II carries a X-Craft beach-lander tender, jet skis, seabobs, paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboards, a waterslide, and other towable toys, making it fully equipped for luxury yacht charter experiences.

Foto:GeBo Fotografie