​Aug 23, 2026; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the finals of Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. © Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesThe United States Tennis Association (USTA) has partnered with the sports betting platform Kalshi for the US Open, a move that has drawn strong criticism from Jessica Pegula. The World No. 3 acknowledged that betting companies have become an important driver of engagement in sports, but also highlighted the hate and negativity players often face from bettors, while tournaments greatly profit from these sponsorships.Jessica Pegula defeated fellow American Sofia Kenin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the third round. After the win, Pegula sat down for a press conference and was asked about USO’s recent partnership with the betting company Kalshi.Pegula said that the full-fledged arrival of betting companies in sports has become a double-edged sword for players. She pointed out the negativity players receive depending on a match’s outcome and noted that tournaments profit greatly from such partnerships.“Players can’t do anything off of a betting type of sponsorship. But, you know, the tournaments profit off of a lot of that stuff. And I don’t know, it’s a tricky question because we get a lot of negativity from people that use stuff like that from bettors, whether you win or lose.”“It doesn’t even matter sometimes. And we get a lot of hate for it on social media. So it’s tough when you see that. And then they’re a big sponsor behind the court, or they’re on TV. And it’s tricky. I mean, I don’t really know the best way to deal with it just because it’s kind of inevitable. I mean, it’s everywhere, and it’s not really going away.”According to the US Open, Kalshi became the first Official Prediction Market Partner of the tournament.Jessica Pegula Opens Up About the US Open CrowdAfter her second-round win, Jessica Pegula sat down for a press conference where she was asked about the changing crowd culture at the US Open. Pegula said that it is great to have casual fans and influencers, as it helps promote the tournament, but also highlighted the negative side of the experience.“I can appreciate the influencers coming and kind of showcasing the US Open experience.
I think that’s something that the US Open has utilized a lot as far as food and drinks and things to do and the shops, and that part is part of a fan experience and something that people might not know and make them want to go.”“But I do think that it’s tough when you see videos like that, when you know they’re taking pictures and using the selfie lights, and you know it’s like people are down there trying to perform and like it’s their career and their job, and it seems like a bit disrespectful.”Next up, Pegula is scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez in the third round in New York.Read more:“Literally a Joke” – Fans Rage at US Open For ‘D