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Tennis star Jessica Pegula (R) husband Taylor Gahagen (L) pose for a couple’s photo at the 2026 Charleston Open.
American tennis star Jessica Pegula (No. 1 seed) is looking to defend her title at the 2026 Charleston Open. She takes on fellow U.S. player Iva Jovis (No. 4 seed) in the semifinal round on April 4.
In order to reach the semis, Pegula, daughter of Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula, came back to defeat Diana Schnaider in three sets in the quarterfinals.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I had any more lives left there for a bit,” Pegula revealed in her on-court interview. “I was getting really frustrated — it was very slow and wet and muggy, and I felt like the ball wasn’t going anywhere.”
GettyJessica Pegula of the United States during the Charleston Open on April 2, 2026.
Pegula came back to win in three sets against Yulia Putintseva. Same story against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the Round of 16.
“I think I was a little bit more frustrated today after the first set, because I was just like, ‘Gosh, like seriously? Like I’m going to have to, like, win in three, like, officially now after losing the first set, and it’s like the same thing.’… So, it’s been a little bit of a roller coaster for me. But, yeah, my sense of humor keeps me going, I guess.”
She also has her No. 1 fan cheering her on at Credit One Stadium, her husband, Taylor Gahagen.
Jessica Pegula’s Husband, Taylor Gahagen, Posed With Her on the Charleston Open Red Carpet
Pegula and Gahagen were first linked as a couple in 2015 and married at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, in October 2021. Pegula gave Gahagen a cute shoutout after reaching the semifinals of the 2024 U.S. Open.
“It’s amazing. I have my brother there, my sister there. My dad, my brother-in-law, lots of friends, lots of family all scattered around. Obviously, my husband. He’s not even standing up. He doesn’t want to be seen.”
Before the start of the Charleston Open, however, he joined his wife on the red carpet — posing for an extremely rare public photo alongside his better half.
Pegula and Gahagen keep their relationship out of the public eye. Pegula’s social media presence is heavily tennis-based, while Gahagen keeps his Instagram profile private. While Gahagen rarely appears on Pegula’s Instagram page, he quietly supports his wife in person.
He attended the Charleston Open last year, where Pegula defeated Sofia Kenin for the title.
GettyTaylor Gahagen at Credit One Stadium on April 04, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Gahagen was also photographed supporting Pegula at the 2025 U.S. Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semifinals.
Tyler Gahagen Once Worked for Jessica’s Pegula Family, Worth $9.3 Billion
According to Gahagen’s LinkedIn profile, the New York native graduated from State University at Fredonia with a bachelor of science in business administration before earning his MBA at Canisius University, located in Buffalo.
Gahagen started working at Pegula Sports and Entertainment in 2013, which the tennis star’s family owns and is worth $9.3 billion, according to Forbes. Speaking to WKBW TV in 2016, “I don’t think there’s anywhere else I would want to work,” Gahagen said of Pegula’s company, which also owns the Buffalo Sabres.
“It’s so exciting. I think everybody’s talked about the opportunity in the area and the opportunity for Buffalo and the pride of Buffalo is bar none. Raising the profile of Buffalo on a national, international, global scale is what’s most exciting.”
Following a major shakeup at Pegula Sports and Entertainment in 2023, Gahagen left the company. He now works as a managing partner at Agarwood Wealth and Dragos Capital, per his LinkedIn profile. He also works alongside his wife as the president of A Lending Paw, a non-profit foundation that helps assist those in need with service dogs.
Emily Bicks covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Bills, Seahawks and Chiefs. She’s contributed to Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed some of the biggest stars in sports, including Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal and Stefon Diggs. More about Emily Bicks
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