Former world No 5 Eugenie Bouchard has appeared to direct a snide comment at Jessica Pegula’s landmark US Open run in a veiled comment on social media.
30-year-old Pegula reached the first Grand Slam final of her slow-but-steady career at her home tournament in Flushing Meadows on Saturday afternoon.
Despite battling valiantly, the new world No 3 was downed in straight sets by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling contest far closer than the scoreline would suggest.
But along with praise for her performance, the player has been forced to contend with commentary over her background.
Pegula is the daughter of billionaire Terry Pegula, owner of NFL franchise the Buffalo Bills and ice hockey team the Sabres – with some tennis fans keen to posit her achievements against the backdrop of an extraordinary privileged upbringing.
Bouchard seemed to do the same on Sunday with her reply to a comment in defence of Pegula, which stressed: ‘You can’t buy talent and work ethic’.
With Pegula ending Saturday’s contest the runner-up, fans of the Buffalo native were quick to assume that the Canadian was poking fun at Pegula’s inability to bypass two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka.
But returning to social media amid the firestorm, Bouchard insisted that she had meant her missive as a compliment.
‘Literally how?’ Bouchard responded to a commenter who shared that she had thought she was ‘dissing’ Pegula.
‘I’m complimenting her, she achieved a GS finals (because) of hard work, dedication, etc. not (because) of money.
‘You can’t buy your way (through) the US Open draw. She’s amazing. Leaving this app (disappointed face emoji).’
Pegula and Bouchard have a longstanding relationship as doubles partners, with Bouchard winning her first doubles title paired up with the wealthy scion at a 2012 tournament in Douthan, Alabama.
For her part, Pegula debunked myths about her family’s $7.7billion-wealth in the run-up to Saturday’s final, calling the rumours ‘a little annoying.’
‘People think I have a butler, I get chauffeured around, I have a private limo, I fly private everywhere. I’m definitely not like that,’ she said, before repeating in disbelief: ‘A butler?!
‘It’s a little annoying, but honestly I just think it’s kind of funny.’
Pegula is one of two daughters of US billionaires currently ranked inside the top 10, with Emma Navarro – daughter of Ben Navarro, who is worth an estimated $1.5bn – sneaking into eighth place after reaching the semi-finals in New York last week.
Navarro was similarly despatched in straight sets by the all-conquering Sabalenka, who claimed her third Grand Slam title over the weekend.
Bouchard still competes occasionally, and is currently ranked 570th – but spends much of her time competing as a pickleball professional.
The 30-year-old signed a deal to compete in the niche sport’s PPA Tour 2024 season, where she is ranked 27th in the standings.