Jessica Pegula Weighs in on Tennis’ Complicated Relationship with Betting Partnerships After US Open Deal: “We Get a Lot of Hate”

Jessica Pegula is into the third round of the US Open. On Wednesday (September 3), Pegula dismantled countrywoman Sofia Kenin to reach the third round of her home Slam for the seventh consecutive time.

At the press conference afterward, Pegula spoke about the partnership between the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and betting platform Kalshi. Pegula said she understands the important role betting platforms play in profit and fan engagement, but pointed out that the people on the receiving end of hateful messages from angry bettors are the players, whether they win or lose.

Yeah, that’s been a conversation I think that’s been going on for a bit, as far as, you know, players can’t do anything off of a betting type of sponsorship, but the tournaments profit off of a lot of that stuff. And I don’t know, it’s a tricky question because we get a lot of negativity from people that use stuff like that, from bettors, whether you win or lose, right? It doesn’t even matter sometimes. And we get a lot of hate for it on social media.

Matteo Berrettini also raised concerns regarding the negative sides of betting, revealing that he and his family have received death threats, urging the tour to make player protection a priority.

So, it’s tough when you see that, and then they’re a big sponsor behind the court, or they’re on TV, and it’s tricky. I don’t really know the best way to deal with it, just because it’s kind of the inevitable. It’s everywhere, and it’s not really going away anytime soon, especially when I look at other sports. Betting is a big part of keeping fans engaged. So, I don’t know. I go back and forth with that one.

Jessica Pegula added

Pegula is a former runner-up here, reaching the final in 2024 and losing the match to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 32-year-old has a chance to dethrone the Belarusian ace. If she wins the title and Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals, Pegula will reach her career-best ranking.

Jessica Pegula says Daniil Medvedev is her favorite character on court

Tennis X is filled with Amanda Anisimova‘s funny expressions. When Anisimova, following her opening-round match against countrywoman Ashlyn Krueger, was asked during her on-court interview why she is so “meme-able”, she said she “morphed into one of those characters” from The Office.

Jessica Pegula came across those memes. At the press conference after her second-round win, when she was asked about her favorite ones, she picked those of Daniil Medvedev.

There’s a lot. I mean, hers are pretty good. I think Medvedev’s got to have some good ones up there. I don’t…would definitely say I think Medvedev has got to be kind of my favorite character on court, so I think he has a lot of great ones.

Medvedev breezed past Hugo Gaston and Sebastian Gorzny in the first two rounds to schedule his third-round match against Arthur Rinderknech. The Russian ace is a former champion in New York, winning in 2021 by defeating Novak Djokovic.

He is chasing his third title of the season here, after wins at the Brisbane International and the Dubai Tennis Championships. Medvedev also reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters but lost the title to Jannik Sinner.

Pegula has also won two titles this season: the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Charleston Open. She lost the finals in Berlin, Washington, and Cincinnati. In Cincinnati, Coco Gauff beat her to end her title drought.

Also read: Juan Martin del Potro Sends Urgent Wrist Warning to Carlos Alcaraz After US Open Return