This has been the year for Emma Navarro. The 23-year-old never made it past the first round of the US Open in her two previous main draw appearances at Flushing Meadows – in 2021 and 2023. But on Monday, she made it to the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournament for the second year in a row after defeating defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I believe I can play tennis with the best players in the world. I deserve to be on this stage,” said Navarro. “I belong in these rounds of the Grand Slams. I can go far.”
On Tuesday, Navarro will face Paula Badosa at the same legendary venue, hoping to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal and third place overall on the WTA Tour.
Who is Emma Navarro?
The 23-year-old was born in New York but grew up in South Carolina. She played college tennis at the University of Virginia and won an NCAA singles championship as a freshman in 2021 and later became the first NCAA women’s singles champion to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open.
“When I left college, my coach and I signed a two-year contract where I would commit fully to professional tennis for two years and then reevaluate after that,” said Navarro, who will face Spain’s Paula Badosa on Tuesday. “I think I hit the two-year mark this June and we didn’t even acknowledge it or talk about it. So I definitely exceeded my expectations. I hope I just keep getting better.”
Navarro is the daughter of billionaire Sherman Financial Group founder and CEO Ben, who owns the WTA Tour event in Charleston and attempted to buy the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in 2018. Her grandfather Frank was a former American football player and coach.
What achievements has Emma Navarro made so far in her career?
After finishing second at the French Juniors Open and winning two consecutive doubles titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2019, she made her first appearance in the main draw of the Charleston Open that same year with a wildcard.
Navarro has risen in the rankings since 2022, rising from No. 143 this year to No. 12 ahead of the 2024 US Open, her career-best ranking. And regardless of her result against Badosa on Tuesday, she will break into the top 10 for the first time in her career on Monday.
This year has been her breakthrough season, with her record on tour so far being 49-19, including her first title at the Hobart International, which uses the same surface as the US Open.
“In the past, I’ve seen decisions on the court – like receiving the ball on the upwind or going forward to hit a forehand instead of going back, things like that. Those were decisions in the past. Now I see those situations less as a decision and more as: I have to approach it this way,” explained Navarro, who rarely shows much emotion during a match. “Partly because the players I’m playing against will block me if I don’t make that more confident, aggressive decision. And also because I think I have more confidence in myself to actually be able to make those shots.”
Earlier this summer, Navarro reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon, where she defeated four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the second round before defeating Gauff in straight sets in the round of 16. She later represented her country at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“It’s pretty crazy just to talk about winning a Grand Slam or a tournament like the US Open. A few months ago, even I wouldn’t have said that,” Navarro said. “So it’s pretty crazy to be sitting here now, with the quarterfinals ahead of me and feeling like I’m playing well enough to move on.”
