### Pegula and Navarro’s Family Wealth Does Not Guarantee Success, Says Williams’ Ex-Coach

When it comes to tennis, family wealth might offer a head start, but it’s not the deciding factor for success, according to Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci. His perspective came to the forefront when discussing players like Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, two rising stars who come from affluent backgrounds but have worked hard to prove themselves on the tennis court.

**Jessica Pegula**, currently ranked among the top players, is the daughter of billionaire Terry Pegula, who owns the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Despite her privileged upbringing, Pegula has demonstrated a tenacity and dedication to tennis that goes beyond her family’s resources. She has worked relentlessly on her game, climbing the ranks through sheer grit and skill, rather than relying solely on her background.

Similarly, **Emma Navarro**, another promising player, comes from a wealthy family—her father Ben Navarro is a financier and philanthropist who once attempted to purchase the Carolina Panthers. Despite having the financial support and access to the best training facilities, Navarro’s rise has been driven by passion and effort. She’s been steadily making a name for herself in the competitive tennis world.

Rick Macci, who played a key role in developing the careers of some of the sport’s greatest talents, including the Williams sisters, insists that while wealth can provide access to top-notch coaching and facilities, it does not ensure success. In his view, the drive, hunger, and mental toughness required to compete at the highest level come from within. “Money can’t buy passion,” Macci has said. “It can buy lessons, equipment, and the best trainers, but at the end of the day, it’s the heart and mind of the player that determine their destiny.”

Macci’s experience coaching Serena and Venus Williams, who came from a modest background, underscores his point. The Williams sisters had none of the financial privileges that Pegula and Navarro enjoy, yet their raw determination and work ethic set them on a path to greatness. Serena Williams went on to become one of the greatest tennis players in history, driven by a hunger that had little to do with wealth and everything to do with ambition and discipline.

He also highlighted that wealth could sometimes work against players if it leads to complacency. Having everything handed to a player might reduce the internal drive to fight for success. “If you don’t know how to fight through adversity because everything has always been easy, the competitive edge won’t be as sharp,” Macci explained.

Pegula and Navarro’s rise in tennis illustrates that, while family wealth can be a factor in affording opportunities, it does not replace the hard work, resilience, and mental toughness required to succeed at the top levels of sport. As Macci said, “Money can open doors, but it’s up to the player to walk through them—and to keep walking.”

In a world where wealth is often seen as a shortcut to success, the stories of Pegula and Navarro are reminders that true achievement comes from the effort invested, regardless of financial backing.