Jessica Pegula’s drive is deeply rooted in the example set by her parents. She reflects, “My parents didn’t really come from a lot, so to see them make so much of themselves was really inspiring.” Despite growing up in a family known for its success and prominence, Jessica sees herself through the lens of hard work and humility.

Her identity as a tennis player is shaped not by privilege but by perseverance, fueling her relentless pursuit of excellence on the court. For her, it’s about earning her place through dedication, not just family fame. So what’s her backstory?

Where is Jessica Pegula from? What’s her nationality?

Pegula has been a standout figure in American tennis since her journey began in Buffalo, New York, where she was born in 1994. Her passion for the sport sparked at age seven, and by 15, she turned professional, steadily climbing the ranks. Her rise reflects a consistent, hardworking approach—a true testament to her dedication.

As a proud American, Pegula’s identity is deeply tied to her nationality, but her family story adds rich layers to her narrative. Her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, own the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. Her mother’s inspiring journey—from being adopted from Seoul, South Korea, at age five to becoming a pioneering sports executive—adds depth to Jessica’s role. Today, she stands for more than athletic excellence, embodying cultural identity and representation with grace and influence.

What is Jessica Pegula’s ethnicity and religion?

Jessica’s family story is as compelling as her tennis game. Her dad, born March 27, 1951, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State University. Meanwhile, her mom Kim’s journey is truly inspiring—born June 7, 1969, in Seoul, South Korea, she was adopted by an American family in 1974 and grew up in Fairport, New York.

A fun tidbit Jessica Pegula has shared is, “A lot of people don’t know that I’m half-Korean.” She recognizes how significant her mom’s role has been as an Asian woman breaking barriers in sports. Her connection to her Korean roots has grown over time, even if it wasn’t a big part of her early life. She admits, “I don’t know a lot of my heritage because she really didn’t want to know that much and she didn’t really grow up in it.”

Everything changed during a 2019 trip to Korea when Jessica played the Hana Bank Korea Open and returned to Seoul with her mom. They visited the orphanage where Kim was raised. Jessica reflected, “Asian people love other Asian people and Koreans loved her. She doesn’t speak Korean, but they were so proud.” That experience gave her a fresh appreciation for her heritage. On a different note, there’s no public info about Jessica’s religion—she keeps that part of her life private.

Which high school did Pegula attend?

Jessica Pegula showed incredible focus before turning pro. She completed high school online, fitting it around her tennis training. This early dedication was clear! She then played collegiate tennis at the University of Pittsburgh. Jessica officially turned professional in 2011. Her older half-sister, Laura, inspired her to pursue tennis seriously. Laura also played at Pitt, and this family bond truly fueled Jessica’s drive.

Her path to tennis stardom involved big moves, literally! She was born in Pennsylvania and had lived in South Carolina. In 2007, her family moved to Boca Raton, Florida. This helped her chase her tennis dreams. There, she trained with Dave Rineberg. He was Serena and Venus Williams’ former hitting coach!

Rineberg told The Palm Beach Post, “The Williams sisters had that same explosive power” as Jessica. That “really excited” him about her. Training with a legend’s coach only fueled her fire! She balanced online school with intense practice.

Now, Jessica Pegula has just finished her Berlin Open run. As defending champion, she had an unfortunate R16 exit. Liudmila Samsonova defeated her. But her season isn’t all bad! She clinched two titles: the ATX Open and Charleston Open! Her clay season was rough this year. Still, she keeps her head high, now heading further into the grass court season.