By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 31, 2023
Jessica Pegula is never alone on court—even when playing singles.
The world No. 4 carries the inspiration of her mother, Kim Pegula, with her each time she steps on court.
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Mom continues to inspire her famous daughter.
Kim Pegula, who suffered cardiac arrest in June of 2022, made her first public appearance in nearly 14 months at Buffalo Bills practice on Sunday watching the team train from the front seat of an SUV.
Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, Jessica’s parents, are the owners of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Kim Pegula served as president of both the Bills and Sabres and was actively involved in day-to-day decisions with both franchises before suffering cardiac arrest.
Jessica Pegula called her mom’s appearance “amazing” and said her family is encouraged as she continues to take “baby steps” in her recovery.
“It’s been amazing,” Jessica Pegula told the media in Washington, DC at her Mubadala Citi DC Open press conference. “I think it’s kind of the next step for us as a family is how much this year she wants to be around all the action and the games and stuff like that.
“I mean, I know she does, but it’s almost like if we’re ready for that to happen, but I think it’s baby steps and she’s there now, which is great. I haven’t been able to talk to her yet but my dad, yeah, said she was very happy to be there.”
Kim Pegula spent about a week in the intensive care unit last summer and suffered some “significant expressive aphasia and significant memory issues,” Jessica Pegula wrote in a poignant piece for Players Tribune titled I Want to Talk to You About My Mom.
“She can read, write, and understand pretty well, but she has trouble finding the words to respond,” Jessica Pegula wrote in her candid Players Tribune article last February. “It is hard to deal with and it takes a lot of patience to communicate with her, but I thank God every day that we can still communicate with her at all.
“The doctors continue to be blown away by her recovery, considering where she started, and her determination is the driving force of that.”
In Washington, DC, Jessica Pegula said after a traumatic year, she’s grateful to see her mom going out and doing well.
“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with that but I’m glad she’s able to enjoy and kind of go out and enjoy things more where it’s been a tough year,” Jessica Pegula said. “It’s nice for her and…
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