Emma Navarro: The Next US Tennis Star After Defeating Coco Gauff at Wimbledon
09.07.2024: The US already boasts a promising roster of young tennis stars, but a new name is making waves. Emma Navarro is quickly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with on the senior tour. The 23-year-old has reached the quarterfinals at this year’s Wimbledon, showcasing her talent and potential.
A Stunning Victory
Navarro’s credentials were underscored when she defeated reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff in straight sets – 6-4, 6-3 – in the fourth round on Sunday, marking her best run at a grand slam.
“I don’t have a ton of words but just really grateful to be out here on Center Court at a tournament with so much history and tradition, that so many legends have played on before me,” Navarro said during her post-match interview. “It’s a real honor. I can’t wait to play again.”
Impressive Season
Navarro’s form at this year’s Wimbledon follows an already impressive season. The American reached the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year, before progressing to the fourth round at the French Open.
According to the WTA, she has won 33 tour-level matches in 2024, more than twice as many as she won last year. Of her $1,847,241 in career prize money, $1,074,546 has been earned in 2024 alone. Navarro claimed her first WTA title at the Hobart International in January and has risen from 149th in the world at the start of last season to her current position as world No. 17.
“I think that mindset has definitely helped me just not to look at a day like today as any different than any other match,” she said, explaining her rise after reaching the quarterfinals. “I think just being able to look at individual matches for what they are and not make them anything greater than that.”
Rising Through the Ranks
Navarro’s rapid rise through the ranks shouldn’t come as a surprise. She enjoyed a successful college career at Virginia, becoming the 2021 NCAA champion in her freshman year. This result qualified her for the US Open main draw, where she lost in the first round. She decided to turn her full attention to professional tennis in 2022, finishing her college career with a record of 51-3 in singles matches.
Background and Support
Just like compatriot Jessica Pegula, Navarro is the daughter of a billionaire. Her father, Ben Navarro, is the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group and is valued by Forbes at $1.5 billion. He has invested heavily in tennis, paying nearly $300 million in 2022 to buy the Cincinnati Open – a warmup event for the US Open.
In an interview with the Tennis Channel earlier this season, Navarro credited her calm demeanor and mindset to her dad. “He’s probably the smartest guy I know and he’s dropped a lot of knowledge and wisdom on my siblings and I over the years,” she said. “He’s taught me a bunch about the perspective I want to take into things, especially on-court stuff.”
Determined to Succeed
Despite being set to inherit a fortune, Navarro is determined to make her own name. She has a chance to do exactly that at this year’s Wimbledon. She will next face Italian Jasmine Paolini on Tuesday for a place in the semifinals.