Jessica Pegula, ranked world No. 5 in tennis, demonstrated her backing of Buffalo Sabres’ star forward Tage Thompson as he competes for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. She shared a story on Instagram featuring content from the Sabres’ official account, highlighting the personal and professional ties between Pegula and the NHL team owned by her father, Terry Pegula.
Terry Pegula, a billionaire businessman, owns both the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, cementing the Pegula family’s influence over Buffalo’s major sports franchises since acquiring the Sabres in 2011 and the Bills in 2014.
Throughout her tennis career, Jessica Pegula has been outspoken in supporting her family’s teams, frequently posting on social media and attending events. Her recent public acknowledgment of Thompson at the Olympics underscores her ongoing engagement with the Sabres during a pivotal moment for one of their leading players.
The Instagram post shared by Pegula was originally made by the Buffalo Sabres’ account, celebrating Thompson’s Olympic appearance with the caption OLYMPIAN TAGE THOMPSON.
Background on Tage Thompson’s Hockey Career
Tage Thompson, a 28-year-old center, has become a crucial offensive figure for the Buffalo Sabres. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, he was initially drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft before being traded to Buffalo. Over 505 NHL games, Thompson has accumulated 206 goals and 178 assists, totaling 384 points, highlighting his steady rise within the league.
His selection for the 2026 Winter Olympics marks a major milestone and recognizes him as an elite NHL player. Notably, Thompson scored a career-high 47 goals in the 2022-23 NHL season, bolstering his reputation as one of the Sabres’ offensive leaders.
Thompson’s Impact at the 2026 Winter Olympics
At the Milano Cortina games, Thompson made a significant impact early in the Olympic ice hockey tournament. In the opening game against Latvia, he scored an important goal, contributing to Team USA’s decisive 5-1 victory. His performance demonstrated the skill and teamwork that have made him essential to both his NHL team and his national squad.
While Thompson pursues success in Italy, Jessica Pegula has recently faced a tough finish at another global sports stage, the 2026 Australian Open. After a string of straight-set wins, she eliminated defending champion Madison Keys before defeating Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals—the first time her match advanced to a tiebreaker.
Pegula’s journey ended in the semifinals against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Despite battling hard and reaching two set points during the tiebreak, she ultimately lost in straight sets, 3-6, 6-7(7), as Rybakina went on to win her second Grand Slam title.
Jessica Pegula’s Recent Tennis Campaign and Olympic Connections
Pegula’s competitive drive was evident throughout the Australian Open, where she showed remarkable resilience but ultimately was bested by a strong opponent. Her near-comeback against Rybakina highlighted the fine margins at the highest level of tennis, reflecting the sometimes painful but motivating nature of elite competition.
This parallel between Pegula’s tennis struggles and Thompson’s Olympic success illustrates a family deeply connected to high-stakes sports. Their shared commitment to excellence and representing their teams and country carries both promise and pressure in these critical moments.
“OLYMPIAN TAGE THOMPSON.” – Buffalo Sabres Instagram account
