It is true that the Buffalo Sabres and their fans have not had much to cheer for the last few years. So, any victory, whether on or off the ice, can give the organization and the fanbase something to latch onto.
At the US Open, women's tennis has one player with links to the Buffalo Sabres: Jessica Pegula, who is currently ranked No. 4 on the WTA Tour, is performing strong at the season's final major tournament.
She has a semifinal match set for Thursday against top-ranked and No. 1 seeded Aryna Sabalenka.
The last name may ring a bell to fans of the Sabres. Kim and Terry Pegula own both the Sabres and Buffalo Bills in the city. Jessica was born in Western New York and has been seen at Sabres games sporting gear with her family.
She also is arguably one of the most accomplishment athletes to come out of the area, and should give all of Buffalo something to cheer for before the Sabres and Bills seasons kicks off.
She won the Charleston Open in April of this year. In 2024, she reached for her first Grand Slam final finishing as the US Open runner-up to Sabalenka. She continues to be not just one of the top tennis players in the United States but the world.
In comparison, her success has not been met by the Sabres, who have not qualified for the playoffs since 2011. Ironically, that year marked Pegula's first appearance in a Grand Slam tournament when she paired with Taylor Townsend in the doubles event at the US Open.
As her career was beginning, the Sabres were beginning the long stretch of faltering. However, the organization can learn of the stable play and poise that a player of Pegula's caliber has performed.
Her success at the US Open, and possible return to the final, is a moment that the entire city and Sabres faithful can be proud of. And maybe, just maybe, the players on the ice can garner inspiration from her as they are just weeks away from the preseason.
In the future, the name Jessica Pegula may be even more well-known throughout the city. She may one day become the team owner of either the Bills or Sabres once her tennis career is finished.
One major part of tennis is the ability to brand yourself and become your own ambassador of the game and your image. Those lessons Pegula has learned could be vital if she eventually becomes a part of Sabres ownership.
For fans of the Sabres, they might want to catch a glimpse of their future Thursday in the semifinal match.