"You are so strong" - Tennis world including Coco Gauff, Victoria Azarenka react as Jessica Pegula reveals mother Kim Pegula's cardiac arrest

Jessica Pegula receives words of love and support from tennis fraternity
Jessica Pegula receives words of love and support from tennis fraternity

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 tennis player further gave vulnerable details about her mother’s current recovery status, revealing that the Buffalo Bills owner had suffered significant memory issues.

“Today, my mom is still in recovery,” she conveyed, “She is improving every day. She is dealing with significant expressive aphasia and significant memory issues. She can read, write, and understand pretty well, but she has trouble finding the words to respond.”

The American, who, despite her personal struggles, went on to have the most successful year of her tennis career yet - winning five doubles titles in addition to a runner-up finish at the French Open; as well as her biggest career singles title at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open – 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.
Tennis players Victoria Azarenka, Madison Keys, Ajla Tomljanovic and Maria Sakkari extend support
Tennis players Victoria Azarenka, Madison Keys, Ajla Tomljanovic and Maria Sakkari extend support
Tennis players including Coco Gauff, Monic Puig, Kim Clijsters and Alycia Parks react
Tennis players including Coco Gauff, Monic Puig, Kim Clijsters and Alycia Parks react

"I appreciate everyone who has reached out" - Jessica Pegula thanks her peers and tennis fans for their kind words of support

The 28-year-old made her third back-to-back quarterfinal at 2023 Australian Open
The 28-year-old made her third back-to-back quarterfinal at 2023 Australian Open

Jessica Pegula received an overwhelming amount of love and support for her personal and vulnerable article revealing her mother's health scare.

The World No. 4 expressed her gratitude to everyone who reached out on her social media.

“Overwhelming response to my story. I appreciate everyone who has reached out, means so much,” Pegula wrote on her Instagram story.
Jessica Pegula on Instagram stories
Jessica Pegula on Instagram stories

The American No. 1 tennis player completed a hat-trick of back-to-back Australian Open quarterfinals during her 2023 run. She is now scheduled to compete at the WTA 500 Qatar Open between February 13-18.

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Edited by Siddharth Dhananjay
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