Jessica Pegula, whose parents are owners of the Buffalo Bills, demonstrated her support for Damar Hamlin during a decisive victory in the second round of the Australian Open.
She prominently displayed Hamlin’s number three on her shorts as she triumphed over Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a score of 6-2, 7-6(5).
In reflecting on her tribute to Hamlin, Pegula explained, “I wanted to do something meaningful… We were observing what the Bills and Sabres were doing, and the number ‘3’ resonated with us.”
Hamlin, the Bills’ safety, recently recovered after his heart stopped during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, an incident that deeply impacted Pegula while she was in Sydney.
Ranked third globally, Pegula underscored the significance of the Bills’ Wild Card victory over the Miami Dolphins, which she closely followed from Melbourne.
After her first-round win, she further honored Hamlin by writing “Go Bills #3” on the camera lens, expressing solidarity with the team and its player.
Entering 2023 at a career pinnacle, Pegula’s exceptional performance at the United Cup included a outstanding victory over world No. 1 Iga Światek, highlighting her strong form entering the Melbourne tournament.
Determined to surpass her previous quarterfinal exits at the Australian Open, she articulated her ambition to achieve deeper success in the competition, emphasizing a strategic focus on each match while maintaining lofty aspirations.
Looking ahead, Pegula prepares to face either wildcard Olivia Gadecki or Marta Kostyuk in the third round, eager to continue her momentum and advance further in the tournament.
Her commitment to both her sporting achievements and showing support for the Bills exemplifies her dedication and connection to the sports community, making her a remarkable figure both on and off the court.