Jessica Pegula may have won the tennis battle against Emma Navarro at the US Open 2026, but their quarterfinal has continued to attract attention for another reason entirely. The all-American clash was quickly labelled the “Battle of Billionaires”, with both players coming from extraordinarily wealthy families. And once the numbers are put together, the figure is staggering.
Pegula and Navarro’s fathers, Terry Pegula and Ben Navarro, have a combined estimated fortune of around $15 billion, according to Forbes’ latest real-time estimates.
That is a figure that dwarfs the commonly cited personal fortunes of tennis’ legendary Big Three, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, although celebrity net-worth estimates are not directly comparable and can fluctuate considerably.
Jessica Pegula is the daughter of Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula
Emma Navarro’s father is a multi-billionaire
These divas could’ve stayed home, eaten their $78 Erewhon salmon, done their LED masks, and saved us from this fresh 3 sets hell tonight#USOpen
— Tiffany J. (@Tiffy_we_dat) September 9, 2026
So, who are the families behind two of American tennis’ richest stars?
Who Is Jessica Pegula’s Billionaire Father?
Jessica is the daughter of Terry Pegula, who made his fortune in oil and gas before turning his attention to professional sports.
Pegula founded East Resources in 1983 and later sold the bulk of its assets to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010. He went on to build a major sports empire, buying the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres in 2011 before purchasing the NFL’s Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion in 2014.
Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres (and many many more), happy to watch his daughter reach a first Grand Slam final!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/VgOg5etNss
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 6, 2024
Forbes currently estimates Terry Pegula’s fortune at $11.8 billion.
Jessica has previously pushed back against assumptions about what growing up in such a wealthy family was like. She has spoken openly about being frustrated by claims that she lived with butlers, chauffeurs and a limousine because of her parents’ wealth.
Who Is Emma Navarro’s Billionaire Father?
Emma Navarro’s father, Ben Navarro, built his fortune in the financial world.
The former Citigroup banker co-founded Sherman Financial Group in 1998, which grew into a major credit and financial-services business. One of its key assets is Credit One Bank. Forbes currently estimates Navarro’s wealth at $3.2 billion.
O pai da tenista Emma Navarro , faz dinheiro de uma forma bem duvidosa, vou explicar aqui:
O Credit One, banco de Ben Navarro lucra ao emitir cartões de crédito com juros e taxas altos para clientes subprime, gerando recebíveis (dívidas).
Esses recebíveis são vendidos para a… pic.twitter.com/KSa2ot0S62
— snowballer (@Snowballer8) May 1, 2025
His connection to tennis goes beyond his daughter, too.
Navarro has spent more than $300 million acquiring the Cincinnati Open and Charleston Open, making him one of the most prominent figures in American tennis away from the court.
More Than Djokovic, Federer and Nadal?
That $15 billion combined family fortune makes the Pegula-Navarro storyline an eye-catching comparison with tennis’ Big Three.
Federer became tennis’ first billionaire according to Forbes, although his fortune later slipped below $1 billion following a fall in the value of his stake in sportswear company On.
Nadal, meanwhile, earned more than $550 million in career pretax earnings from prize money, endorsements and other business ventures, according to Forbes, while Djokovic has earned a record $195 million in ATP prize money alone.
One of the fan accounts on X claims that the tennis’ big three combined are worth ~$1.5 billion.
🚨The US Open quarter-final match between Pegula and Navarro is officially the richest match in tennis history.
The Pegula family net worth: ~$11.8 billion.
The Navarro family net worth: ~$3.2 billion.Combined, they’re worth $15 BILLION.
For perspective, Djokovic, Federer,… pic.twitter.com/kLMk5OKOX2
— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) September 8, 2026
On court, meanwhile, coming from a set down, Pegula defeated Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reached her third consecutive US Open semifinal. She will now face Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals in what would be a rematch of US Open 2024 final.
