Age is just a number, goes the saying. At 32 and playing probably her best tennis of her life, one would imagine that World Number 3 Jessica Pegula has got a lot of tennis left in her. However, the 2024 US Open runner-up has made her goals pretty clear, targeting the 2028 Olympics as possibly her last year in the sport.
It is a blessing to have a clear vision. People tend to normally carry on in good form, to make the best use of the current situation. But American Jessica Pegula has no such plans.
Born to petroleum tycoon and Buffalo Bills owner Terry and Kim Pegula, money was never an issue for the world number 3. It was always about passion and wanting to pursue it, which she did with tennis. She started playing at the age of 7, and quickly got into her coaches’ notice.
She primarily enjoyed her best year in tennis in 2026, when she qualified for the quarters in three of the four Grand Slams, making it to the semis of the Australian and the US Open. Which is why, her sudden announcement of retirement plans, that too, so much in advance, is a bit puzzling. However, it is not so for the American.
We have seen a few tennis stars take a break for pregnancy and then come back for the love of sport. But Pegula is pretty clear that she is not going to be playing tennis at the age of 35 and beyond. She plans to start a family after retirement and then, settle down into her own business, without even any remote chances of her getting back to playing.
The 2028 LA Olympics would be the time when Pegula turns 35, so she has made that event a landmark and target for her potential retirement. Interestingly, the 2024 US Open finalist does not even eye a role in coaching. She plans to take up a sports ownership or a management role, within her parents’ NFL and NHL franchises.
Buffalo Sabres, a franchise in the NHL and the Buffalo Bills, a franchise in the NFL, are both owned by Jessica’s father, Terry. Irrespective of their performances, both franchises have been pretty successful financially. Additionally, mother Kim, who became the first female president of an NFL franchise, was forced to move away in 2023, due to a cardiac arrest. Jess might eye that role.
Going further, Jessica’s husband Taylor Galaghan, part of the corporate marketing department, and also a senior director of the Sabres in the past, has also had a hand in the family business. Looking at all this, it is not totally surprising that Jess wants to venture into that arena.
The main reason for the decision of retirement though, is physical and mental health. Despite enjoying a wonderful 2026, Pegula has admitted that the constant pressure has taken a toll on her, and hence, practically, she does not see herself for playing the sport beyond 2028. While we wish that she changes her decision, we hope that these 3 years be Pegula’s best ever in tennis.
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