Emma Navarro, a rising American tennis star, continued her remarkable journey at the US Open by stunning defending champion Coco Gauff in a captivating three-set match. The final score, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, secured Navarro a spot in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time in a row. This accomplishment is particularly impressive considering her previous struggles at Flushing Meadows, where she had never advanced beyond the first round before this tournament.
Navarro’s post-match interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium radiated confidence and self-belief. “I believe that I can play tennis with the best players in the world. I deserve to be on this stage,” Navarro declared. “I belong in these rounds of Grand Slams. I can make deep runs.”
The 23-year-old Navarro, born in New York but raised in South Carolina, has a compelling backstory. Her father, Ben Navarro, is the billionaire CEO of Sherman Financial Group and a prominent figure in the world of sports. He attempted to purchase the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise in 2018 and currently owns the Charleston WTA Tour tournament. Navarro herself honed her tennis skills at the University of Virginia, where she helped her team win the NCAA singles championship as a freshman in 2021.
Navarro’s rise in the rankings has been nothing short of meteoric. From being ranked No. 143 at the end of 2022, she climbed to No. 38 by the end of the previous year and currently sits at her career-best No. 12. This season, her ascent has reached a new level. In January 2024, she secured her first WTA championship in Hobart, Australia, on a hard court surface identical to the one used at the US Open. Navarro has compiled an impressive 49-19 win-loss record overall.
Her success isn’t just about raw talent; it’s about a strategic shift in her approach to the game. “In the past, I’ve seen choices on court – like taking the ball on the rise or moving forward to hit a forehand as opposed to moving back, stuff like that. Those have been choices in the past. Now I see those types of situations as less of a choice and more of, like: I have to take this on in this way,” explained Navarro, who maintains a stoic demeanor on the court. “Partially because the players I’m playing against, they’ll shut it down if I don’t make that more confident, aggressive choice. And, also, just because I think I have more belief in myself to be able to actually execute those types of shots.”
Navarro has participated in only eight Grand Slam events throughout her career, and the 2024 US Open marks the second time she’s advanced to the quarterfinals by overcoming Gauff. Their previous encounter at Wimbledon in July saw Navarro prevail 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round.
Her path to success includes other notable wins, like her victory over four-time major champion Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon. Before that, her Grand Slam record stood at 6-5, culminating in a quarterfinal loss to Jasmine Paolini. In the US Open, she previously had a disappointing 0-2 record, losing in the first round in both 2021 and 2023.
“It’s pretty insane just to talk about winning a Grand Slam or winning a tournament like the U.S. Open. A few months ago, even I wouldn’t have said that,” Navarro reflected. “So it’s pretty crazy to be sitting here now and have the quarterfinals ahead of me and feel like I’m playing good enough to keep it going.”
Gauff, despite her defeat, acknowledged Navarro’s exceptional play and the pressure she applied to her serve. Gauff’s game was marred by 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors. “In the future, I have to take care of my serve. She’s a great returner. She does a great job with just redirecting,” Gauff conceded. “She’s kind of an all-court player. She can do everything.”
The two players, who competed together for the United States at the Paris Games, have developed a close friendship. Navarro expressed admiration for Gauff’s personality off the court, which she described as a contrast to her on-court persona. Their respect for each other was evident in their embrace at the net after the match. “She’s super funny. She’s kind of the opposite of how she is on court. She has a lot of personality, but she doesn’t show it as much to you guys,” Gauff said. “She’s super nice. I always root for her. It was a battle today, but if you had to lose, I would rather lose to a good person off the court, you know?”
Navarro’s journey to the US Open quarterfinals is a testament to her unwavering belief in herself, her tireless work ethic, and her growing confidence on the court. Her future in tennis looks bright, and she is poised to make a significant impact on the game for years to come.
