Jessica Pegula made a hilarious revelation on the latest edition of the podcast she hosts as the 2024 US Open finalist shared that she was given a "Dafu" nickname in China, which translates as "Big Rich" in Mandarin.
For the past month, the Asian swing has been in full mode as Beijing and China hosted WTA 1000 tournaments. Over those 25 days, several WTA stars spoke very highly about the reception they have received from the locals, including getting gifts but also funny nicknames.
As you probably know, Pegula's family is one of the wealthiest in the United States as her father Terry's net worth is estimated at $7.7 billion. Chinese tennis fans were certainly well aware of that fact and they didn't think much about what nickname they should give to the American tennis star.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pegula on her Dafu nickname: They literally just say it to me
It's not like mean, It's like good. It's like bountiful. But they literally just say it to me now. Like that's my name. I'm like 'Oh thanks. I asked them for a more humble nickname, but I don't think they're just like, 'No,' they're very straight to the point. Really I mean, everybody has all these different nicknames. So they just find stuff. I don't know if they just do research of funny moments," the 31-year-old shared with Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk on thePlayer's Box Podcast.
Brady and Keys took the opportunity to tease Pegula.
"She's basically saying look, we're just stating facts. Like live with it. Move on," Keys said. Brady added: "Yeah. Oh, Dafu large. Large woman."
ADVERTISEMENT
Sadly for Pegula, she just missed out on winning her first Wuhan title after losing 4-6 5-7 to Coco Gauff in the final. In Beijing, the American tennis star also enjoyed a deep run since she made the semifinal before picking up a defeat to Linda Noskova.
