Tennis star Jessica Pegula flies fellow players from Texas to California in private jet
American tennis star Jessica Pegula had a parting – or departing – gift for her fellow finalists at the ATX Open: a flight to California.
Pegula defeated compatriot McCartney Kessler in straight sets on Sunday to win her seventh WTA Tour title in Austin, Texas, then invited other players also competing in the tournament that day to fly on her private jet to California for Indian Wells, which begins this week.
That meant waiting until the women's doubles final had finished before embarking on the roughly 1,200-mile trip, saving those who joined her from a potential late-night transfer in Los Angeles or flights from Dallas or Houston.
'You know she can leave away right after her singles final, but she is such a selfless and generous girl,' Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who was in Sunday's women's doubles final at the ATX Open, said in an Instagram post.
Shuai added that her post was her way of 'transferring the love' to Pegula, who replied by saying: 'You're too cute.'
Another doubles finalist, Russian Anna Blinkova, shared Shuai's post, writing: 'Thank you Jessie for your kindness and generosity.'
World No. 4 Pegula, the daughter of the Buffalo Bills' billionaire owners Terry and Kim Pegula, has a bye in the first round of Indian Wells and will take to the court on Friday for her opening match.
Her victory at the ATX Open was her first title since August last year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Shaquille O'Neal Subtly Endorses Former Warriors Coach for Knicks Job
Shaquille O'Neal Subtly Endorses Former Warriors Coach for Knicks Job originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks made headlines across the NBA world on Tuesday after news hit that they had decided to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau. Advertisement This decision came following the Knicks' heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals and after Thibodeau's five-year reign as head coach. Naturally, the basketball world is already talking about who the Knicks should name as Thibodeau's successor. Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal appears to have made his choice after sharing a strong endorsement video via his Instagram stories not long after the Thibodeau news broke. O'Neal did not caption his post, but it seems clear that the four-time NBA champ wants to see former Golden State Warriors shot-caller Mark Jackson take the helm in New York. O'Neal shared a video strongly advocating Jackson as Thibodeau's successor for the Knicks. The clip highlights Jackson's achievements for the Warriors, where he served as head coach for three seasons between 2011 and 2014. Advertisement Jackson may not have won a championship with Golden State, but the former All-Star point guard is widely credited for playing a pivotal role in laying the foundations of the Stephen Curry-led Warriors dynasty. ESPN analyst Mark Jackson (left), commentator Jeff Van Gundy (center) and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen during game three of the 2023 Western Conference finals.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images It is worth noting that Jackson also started his playing career with the Knicks as the team's first-round pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Knicks and was named an All-Star in his sophomore campaign. Jackson suited up for New York for five years at the start of his career, and another couple of seasons toward the tail end of his NBA tenure. A return to the Knicks as a head coach would be a full-circle moment of sorts for the 60-year-old. Advertisement Related: Shaquille O'Neal Issues Apology to Tyrese Haliburton After Pacers-Knicks Game Related: Indiana Fever React to Caitlin Clark's Antics in Pacers-Knicks Game Related: Reggie Miller Didn't Hesitate Calling Out Knicks Fans After Pacers' Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Metta World Peace has solution to Knicks' coaching problem as J.R. Smith bemoans Tom Thibodeau's firing
Where J.R. Smith sees disaster, Metta World Peace sees opportunity. The two former Knicks had two very different reactions to hearing the stunning news that the team fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday Smith lamented the news, posting to his Instagram story saying, 'I don't know what the f–k going on … I don't get it … Back-to-back 50-win seasons, first time since when? Bro, it's so bad I [direct messaged] Stephen A. Smith just to ask him, 'How much is [Thibodeau] owed? What is going on?' C'mon man! Damn!' 5 J.R. Smith posted his initial thoughts to his Instagram story regarding Tom Thibodeau's firing. teamswish/Instagram Smith also captioned his video calling for Stephen A. Smith to have him on his ESPN show 'First Take.' Thibodeau just finished leading the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference final since 2000, but fell to the Pacers in six games — the second straight year to Indiana. The Knicks felt it was time for a new voice as they are 'singularly focused on winning a championship.' World Peace decided it was the perfect time to start his head coaching campaign. 5 Metta World Peace spent one season with the Knicks in 2013-14. Anthony J Causi 'Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the [Knicks]. Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I've never ran from the city,' World Peace posted to X. 'When all the top players left NYC because it was hard, I went to [St. John's]. I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one un-afraid of the city. I'm built to challenge the city. I'm the number one guy for the job.' World Peace carved out an excellent career for himself across 17 years in the NBA, though just one of his years was spent in New York with the Knicks. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks' stunning firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau He won the NBA Finals in 2010 with the Lakers, was a four-time All-Defensive selection, a one-time All-NBA selection and an All-Star. As for Smith, he spent four of his 16 NBA seasons with the Knicks. He won two championships — one with the Cavaliers and one with the Lakers. 5 Former NBA player Metta World Peace Brian Zak/NY Post 5 J.R. Smith spent four solid seasons with the Knicks from 2011-2015. Paul J. Bereswill Smith averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game in 2012-13 with New York en route to being named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. While Smith was dumbfounded by the move to fire Thibodeau, World Peace doubled down on his job application. 5 Tom Thibodeau coached the Knicks to a 226-174 record in his five seasons in New York. Getty Images 'I want every bit of the smoke in NYC. I'm 100% in and ready to HEAD COACH the great [New York Knicks],' World Peace wrote on X. 'Queens bred. Dominated my Highschool era. Three championship at the Rucker [Park] and never lost one at Rucker. 3 Championships at the real Gershwin [Park] when there was no security. 'Lots more on the NYC front. Had a Knick practice shirt and short on at the 1999 draft. NBA accolades speak for themselves. I basically locked up tons of hall of famers. Sorry. But light work. Metta is ready for the city. #thecityismine'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Batik, Dong Songs, Tea Aroma Bridge China-Sweden Friendship! Guizhou Cultural Feast Draws Swedish Crowds
STOCKHOLM, June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden, "Nihao! China" Dragon Boat Festival Garden Party was grandly held by China Cultural Center in Stockholm at Kungsträdgården, Stockholm, Sweden on May 31st (local time in Sweden). The Guizhou delegation, who came from afar, includes inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and song and dance troupes, meticulously prepared four immersive cultural experience zones: "Tea for Harmony, Yaji Cultural Salon", "Wonder on Fingertips, Great Beauty of Intangible Heritage", "Delicious Cuisine in Duanwu, Happy Journey to Explore" and "Gorgeous Ethnic Costumes, Beauty and Co-Prosperity". Distinctive ethnic songs and dances of Guizhou dazzled the audience during the "Conversation and Connection" performance, presenting the unique charm of the "Fascinating Guizhou, A Heaven of Myriad Mountains" in a panoramic way to the Nordic audience, giving a heartfelt cultural tribute to the friendship between China and Sweden. Cui Aimin, Ambassador of China in Sweden, and Li Rui, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of China in Sweden and Director of the China Cultural Center in Stockholm, and other guests were invited to attend the event. Ambassador Cui Aimin and his wife visited the four carefully arranged exhibition areas and watched Guizhou song and dance performances with great interest. "We are deeply impressed by Guizhou's abundant tourism resources, vibrant ethnic cultures, and authentic local cuisine. The presentations by the Guizhou delegation vividly reflect the profound and unique charm of Chinese culture, and foster closer bonds between the peoples of China and Sweden," the couple said. The event attracted over 10,000 visitors and was met with enthusiastic feedback from the Swedish public. After attending the event, many audiences said the event made them develop a strong interest in Chinese culture, particularly the colorful culture of Guizhou. "It's amazing! These handicrafts are so exquisite, and the tea tastes truly unique. I really want to visit Guizhou to experience it!" They said. View source version on Contacts China Cultural Center StockholmWeiwei Zhangmail@ Sign in to access your portfolio
