Jessica Pegula Slams Troll for ‘Rich Spoiled Brat’ Criticism After Buffalo Sabres’ No Goal Controversy

Jessica Pegula will lock horns with Kimberly Birrell in the first round of the French Open.

Jessica Pegula Slams Troll for ‘Rich Spoiled Brat’ Criticism After Buffalo Sabres’ No Goal Controversy

Jessica Pegula reacted to Buffalo Sabres-Montreal Canadiens no-goal controversy (Image via WTA, Montreal Gazette)

In Short
  • Jessica Pegula criticized for her response to the Buffalo Sabres' no-goal controversy.
  • She defended herself against a troll calling her a "rich spoiled brat."
  • Pegula expressed support for Jannik Sinner's chances at the French Open following Carlos Alcaraz's injury.

Jessica Pegula is gearing up for the French Open, the main draw of which will start on Sunday (May 24th). The American ace will be hoping to finally progress past the quarterfinals, having reached the stage just once, in 2022.

She recently reacted to the Buffalo Sabres’ no-goal controversy against the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League. In a must-win match for the Buffalo Sabres, the Canadiens took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc. Sabres tied the score with goals from Jordan Greenway and Rasmus Dahlin.

In the crucial moment of the match, Sabres’ Beck Malenstyn pushed the puck past the goalkeeper. But before the puck crossed the line, referee Wes McCauley blew the whistle, so the goal did not count. The Canadiens later secured a 3-2 overtime win. Pegula, whose billionaire parents Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula own the Buffalo Sabres, reacted to the controversy.

Waking up to see this video. Wow.

Jessica Pegula wrote on X

But one user criticized her, writing, “Enjoy being a rich spoiled brat who’s earned nothing in life.” In response, Pegula said sarcastically, “You sound like a nice guy lmao.” The user continued to criticize her, questioning whether she even understands ice hockey just because she is super rich. Here’s how Pegula responded:

I didn’t actually say anything about the call but everyone in my comments is raging. I just said it sucks to wake up and see it. Sucks to see them think they won but didn’t…whether you think it was right or wrong. Everyone relax lol.

Check out the posts here:

Coming back to tennis, Pegula defended the Charleston Open by dismantling Yuliia Starodubtseva. But in Madrid, she suffered a third-round exit, while in Rome, her run ended in the quarterfinals. The 32-year-old is set to play Kimberly Birrell in the first round of the French Open. Before the Charleston Open, Pegula won the Dubai Tennis Championships against Elina Svitolina.

RELATED
Aryna Sabalenka Revisits Controversial Roland Garros Moment and Lauds Coco Gauff: “She Understands Everything”

Jessica Pegula backs Jannik Sinner to clean up amid Carlos Alcaraz’s injury

Now that Carlos Alcaraz is injured, Jannik Sinner is entering every tournament as the heavy favorite to win. At the French Open as well, Sinner, who is enjoying a red-hot form, is backed by many to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/4K JANNIK SINNER)

Sinner is on a 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, with his last defeat at this level being his mid-match retirement at the 2025 Shanghai Masters. Since then, he took home the 2025 Paris Masters and this year’s Sunshine Double events, Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid Open, and the Italian Open. Because of his run and Alcaraz’s injury, Jessica Pegula also backed him to ‘clean up’.

I don’t know what is going on. I am just like he is going to win, so there’s that! It’s just crazy what he is doing right now… I don’t really have words for what he is accomplishing right now. Now that Carlos is hurt, he is going to clean up, I think, for a little while.

Jessica Pegula said on The Player’s Box Podcast

Alcaraz injured his wrist at the Barcelona Open and will be skipping the Roland Garros as well as Wimbledon. Sinner has lost just two matches this year: to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals and to Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open quarterfinals.

The 24-year-old is the second man, after the Serb, to complete the Career Golden Masters and is also the second man, after Rafael Nadal, to win the three Masters 1000s on clay in a single season. Sinner is also the first man to win the first five Masters 1000s of the season, as well as the first man to win six consecutive Masters 1000s.

Also read: Coco Gauff Embarrassed After Mom Asks Her to Pose While Pointing Toward Roland Garros Poster