There was a special treat for the finalists at the ATX Open in Austin courtesy of Jessica Pegula. The American star landed her seventh career title at the WTA 250 tournament, beating compatriot McCartney Kessler 7-5 6-2 in the final. It compounded an agonising tournament for Kessler. She also lost the doubles final with Zhang Shuai after they were undone by a comeback from Yuan Yue and Anna Blinkova. However, for all four stars, the reward for going all the way was a luxurious one.

With The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells getting underway this week, Pegula headed straight to California from Texas in her private jet. But the 31-year-old was not alone, inviting her four fellow finalists to fly comfortably with her.

This gesture particularly pleased Chinese star Yue, who sealed her second career WTA doubles title on Sunday. She took to social media to express her gratitude at being spared an arduous car trip.

“Praise Miss Pegula. Okay!!!” she wrote. “She has invited all the players in today’s game (doubles final) to take a private plane together. Thank you so much!!!

“Otherwise, we would all have been on the road for at least nine hours tomorrow. Oh my God, how can there be such a beautiful lady?”

Zhang, who with Kessler also stepped on board, added: “The final day girls discuss how flight to IW, many different ways, someone leave from Austin/ Houston/ Dallas, someone might need to transfer at LA in the middle night because it’s tough to get a flight after the doubles final.

“In the meantime @jpegula offering everyone who playing at the Sunday final to join her private jet, you know she can leave away right after her singles final, but she is such a selfless and generous girl. This message is NOT to show I took the jet, just wanted to appreciate and transferring the love.”

Pegula is the daughter of billionaire parents Terry and Kim Pegula. Through their Pegula Sports and Entertainment company, the couple owns two iconic American sports teams – the NFL franchise Buffalo Bills and the NHL team Buffalo Sabres.

The 2024 US Open finalist boasts a net worth of £10.3million. She’s currently ranked No.4 in the world, and has regularly pushed back at cynics who have questioned her motivation for success given her wealth, given she is considered the world’s richest tennis player.