"Coco made the fatal error of not being as rich as Pegula": Tennis fans quip Jessica Pegula paid for Forbes cover after 30 after 30 feature
WTA
Tennis fans
jokingly suggested that Jessica Pegula paid to be on the cover of Forbes
magazine and expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of Coco Gauff from the
"30 under 30" list.
American
tennis had a standout year on the WTA Tour with its two main figures,
29-year-old Jessica Pegula and 19-year-old Coco Gauff. Pegula finished the
season as world No. 5, while Gauff ended at world No. 3, adding her first Grand
Slam title at the US Open – the first American woman to do so since Sofia Kenin
at the 2020 Australian Open.
The
Pegula-Gauff duo also finished the year in the top 5 in the doubles rankings,
with each reaching the No. 1 spot at some point during the year. In the
upcoming January 2024 edition of Forbes, the "30 under 30" list will
feature 30 American women under 30 years old, with Jessica Pegula gracing the
cover.
Fan
reactions to the cover were varied, with many noting Gauff's better year and
suggesting that Pegula paid to be included in the list due to her being the
daughter of Terry Pegula, the billionaire owner of the Buffalo Bills in the NFL
and a prominent figure in the energy industry.
Here are
some of the fan comments:
“These
lists are a joke and paid for..” some fan wrote. “Not her
doubles partner, you know, the American who won the US Open?,” another fan
responded. “Coco made
the fatal error of not being as rich as Pegula” “Imagine
not being born to billionaires smh”
“Great to
hear that Pegula aims to give back to the sport as much as she can and help
kids get playing tennis but I can’t help but see that Forbes is simply
sustaining and reinforcing the tradition of keeping the rich rich and
increasing inequality, especially keeping families, who make billions of
dollars from oil and gas, at the top of society. Why not show your support for
those tennis players that will do the most to get kids active, like those with
academies?”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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