The former coach of Serena Williams has slammed suggestions that two top-10 players had an advantage over their peers because of their family’s wealth.
Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro are both the daughters of billionaires. Terry Pegula owns two sports teams while Ben Navarro is the founder of Sherman Financial Group.
Their recent success at the US Open has sparked a row over how much their fortunes helped them get to the top of the game and Rennae Stubbs is the latest to weigh in, going on a passionate social media rant.
“One thing i want to address that i didn’t on my pod today. You can’t buy your way to the top 10 or a major final without an extraordinary amount of hard work on the tennis court, in the gym and having mental fortitude and guts!” Stubbs started.
The former doubles No. 1 coached Serena Williams right before the 23-time Grand Slam champion retired two years ago. And she explained that Pegula and Navarro would have worked as hard as the Williams sisters.
Stubbs continued: “Anyone who thinks because someone comes from money guarantees success, has no clue! Venus & Serena came from nothing but they worked theirs asses off to be great. Jess & Emma worked the same amount on court and off too. Were they better off, yes, does it help u WIN, NO!
“Being rich doesn’t make u a better tennis player, because in the end, it’s about the work YOU PUT INTO IT!! And u could argue, why? Why put yourself thru all that when u don’t need the money. I have so much respect for them, because THEY HAVE EARNED IT! By working their asses off.
“So stop with the narratives out there that because they’re wealthy, they got there. That’s nonsense and i won’t hear it! I see what it takes to be that good in this tennis world and to win at this level and what they’ve achieved is purely because of THEIR WORK ETHIC! Period!”
The Aussie isn’t the only one to defend Pegula and Navarro following recent criticism. Genie Bouchard pointed out that “money can’t buy a US Open final lol” after Pegula reached the championship match in Flushing Meadows. After fans wrongly mistook her tweet as a dig at the world No. 3, Bouchard clarified herself and threatened to quit X.
“Literally how? I’m complimenting her, she achieved a GS finals bc of hard work, dedication, etc. not bc of money. You can’t buy your way thru the us open draw. She’s amazing. Leaving this app,” the Canadian said in reply to a follower who initially read her post as a “diss”.