Jessica Pegula has received warm messages and words of support from her peers after revealing details about her mother Kim Pegula’s health for the first time since incident in 2022.
Kim Pegula, who is the president and owner of the NFL team Buffalo Bills and the NHL team Buffalo Sabres, suffered a cardiac arrest on June 7, 2022, on her 53rd birthday.
Jessica Pegula opened up about the devastating incident on Tuesday, February 7, in an article for The Players’ Tribune. The World No. 4 recalled the day and lauded her sister for saving their mother’s life.
“My mom was asleep when my dad woke up to her going into cardiac arrest and she was unresponsive for quite a while. My sister gave her CPR until the ambulance arrived. She saved her life,” the tennis player wrote in the article.
The 28-year-old also detailed her grim Wimbledon campaign, where she had to deal with the press who pestered her with painful and uncomfortable questions about Kim Pegula’s health.
“I had to deal with a lot of speculation and questions surrounding her health, even shutting down rumors that she had died. It wasn’t necessarily the most fun Wimbledon experience I remember,” she said.
The American was applauded by her colleagues for her immense display of strength. Tennis players also poured in their well wishes for Jessica Pegula and her family.
“Thanks for sharing your story Jess. You are one tough cookie. Praying for you and your family,” compatriot Lauren Davis said.
“Sending our love and support to you. Mothers are so special,” tennis legend Billie Jean King wrote.
Coco Gauff expressed her support by tweeting three heart emojis, whereas former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka posted a heart alongside a pic of Pegula and her mom in her Instagram stories.