Jessica Pegula has opened up on one of the downsides of the professional tour after landing a new brand deal. The world No. 3 already has deals with Adidas and Stella Artois, among others, and she has now become an ambassador for World of Hyatt, solving one of her main problems on the circuit.
While the life of a tennis player seems glamorous, the travel can be long and gruelling, and the circuit now lasts for 11 months of the year. Over the years, Pegula has learned the importance of having a good place to rest while competing, and her sponsorship will make things a lot easier.
Pegula is no stranger to business. Her father, Terry, has a net worth of £ 5.7 billion and owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. The US Open finalist also has her own skincare brand, Ready 24, and recently launched the charity A Lending Paw.
The 31-year-old also has plenty of sponsorships, and she’s now added to her portfolio. As a newly named World of Hyatt ambassador, Pegula will get involved in luxury experiences for guests and hold tennis clinics.
The partnership also helps her with one of her major gripes, the gruelling nature of the tennis tour.
“Travelling week in and week out can be draining and tiring, not being able to go home all the time,” Pegula told Forbes.
“Having a great place to come back to, to relax and recover and recharge is important.
“Maybe it is getting older, but having a good bed and a good pillow is really important. Maybe I didn’t worry about that when I was 20, but being in my 30s now, that stuff is a priority.”
The world No. 3 previously chose her hotels for tournaments herself, but she’s happy to let Hyatt take the reins. And she enjoys building relationships with brands and businesses outside of tennis.
She added: “I have always felt as an athlete I owe that time back because they are improving me and improving whatever they are doing.
“You have to give those people your time, as they are doing something really great for you.
“I don’t want to be that person who is showing up to just show up. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable when doing events to have information and not bluff my way through it.
“It keeps it more natural, and you can develop long-term relationships. It is really important for me to keep those connections you are making with people organic and honest.”
Pegula is currently the top seed in the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg. After lifting the title in Charleston on green clay, the American has struggled on the orange stuff in Europe, going 3-3 in matches so far.
Whatever happens this week, the 31-year-old will be safe in the knowledge that, when she gets to Paris for the French Open, she’ll have her hotel arrangements taken care of.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk