Jessica Pegula talks proudly of mom Kim Pegula for being an ‘Asian’ but still managing to establish her identity in American Sports
Pegula explains the importance of her Asian-American heritage and her experience of writing about her mother's cardiac arrest
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Jessica Pegula is on top of her game at the moment. The World No.3 is probably associated more with her parents than her game. Nevertheless, the American speaks for herself through her impeccable tennis career. Pegula mentioned her Asian American background and the importance of representation in sports in a recent interview.
Pegula explained the significance of having a multi-racial background in sports. Kim Pegula, Jessica’s mother is Korean, and her ethnicity is necessary to mark her as one of the pioneers of Asian businesswomen in the sports industry in the USA. As the co-owner of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL and president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Kim has etched her name in history.
The Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) was founded last year due to the glaring underrepresentation of the minority community. The establishment of the organization is due to the lack of fundamental funding and visibility. Pegula, owing to her Korean heritage, is part of the board of directors.
Other tennis players on the board include Rajeev Ram and Vania King. Pegula is critical of the fact that many people are unaware that she is Korean. “A lot of the stuff that my mom did, being an Asian woman in sports, is really a big deal.” Pegula proudly spoke in the interview. Her position as one of the leaders in the American sports scene, as an Asian, on top of being a woman, was crucial.
The prominence and recognition gave impetus to other Asian American women to vouch for development. Pegula hopes for the same as well. She claims it was fairly easy to join AAPITA. “I’m hoping we can get something going at the US Open, with the large AAPI community in New York City.” added Pegula.
Also read: Nick Kyrgios issues warning to Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula on wanting trash talk in tennis
Jessica Pegula thought it was ‘natural’ to write about her mother’s cardiac arrest
Jessica was the one to reveal Kim’s medical condition with a heartfelt essay that was published by the Player’s Tribune. She wrote it at the start of the season in Australia, as she geared up for the opening Grand Slam. After an extended absence on her mother’s part, the public needed to hear the reason behind it.
Pegula took it upon herself to be the carrier of the message. The 29-year-old said it all ‘clicked into place’ after she wrote the essay, and published it prior to the Super Bowl. Additionally, the collective response, according to Pegula, was unfathomable. “Not only from the outside world but also within the WTA as well, the tennis world.” she elaborated.
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Tanisha Mohanty
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