Jessica Pegula advances to US Open third round amid sponsorship concerns

American tennis star Jessica Pegula has advanced to the third round of the US Open following a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory over Sofia Kenin. Despite the win, Pegula used her post-match press conference to address growing concerns regarding the tournament's environment and ethical standards.

Pegula criticized what she described as a double standard involving betting sponsorships. She noted that while professional players are strictly prohibited from accepting betting-related sponsorships, tournaments benefit significantly from such partnerships, such as the US Open's recent deal with prediction market company Kalshi. She also highlighted the issue of online abuse, noting that frustrated bettors frequently target players with hateful social media messages.

Additionally, Pegula raised concerns about the increasing presence of influencers at the tournament. She remarked that the behavior of some influencers, including the use of selfie lights and ring lights during matches, can be “disrespectful” and disruptive to the professional focus required by athletes. The tournament has also faced logistical challenges due to rain, affecting match schedules and player recovery.