Pegula, whose father Terry owns the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, has earned the nickname “Da Fu” from Chinese fans, which Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen translated to mean “Big Rich.” The world No. 5 launched The Player’s Box podcast last summer alongside Madison Keys, Desirae Krawczyk and Jennifer Brady.
“I’m also looking at the views and I think that’s going to be one of their most viewed videos, so I think we should get something out of it,” Gauff continued. “I’m specifically talking to Jess, but also Madison, Des. Jenny wasn’t there so she gets a pass, but they should have split it between all of us.”
Powered by a coffee-pistachio combo, Gauff made up for an illness-fueled early exit from the Mutua Madrid Open with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Valentova at the Foro Italico. Last year, Gauff enjoyed back-to-back runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome before capturing her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, but the American isn’t looking to over-analyze her results heading into Paris.
