Emma Navarro achieved a significant milestone by defeating defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at the U.S. Open on Sunday, propelling her to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive Grand Slam event. Prior to this year’s tournament in New York, Navarro had never advanced beyond the first round at Flushing Meadows.
“I believe that I can play tennis with the best players in the world. I deserve to be on this stage,” Navarro stated. “I belong in these rounds of Grand Slams. I can make deep runs.”
Navarro, 23, was born in New York but grew up in South Carolina. Her father, Ben, is the billionaire founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group and has ties to the WTA Tour event in Charleston as well as an attempt to purchase the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in 2018.
Having played collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia, Navarro secured an NCAA singles championship as a freshman in 2021. Reflecting on her transition to professional tennis, she said, “When I first left college, my coach and I kind of made a two-year contract that I would fully commit myself to playing professional tennis for two years and then kind of just reassess after that.” Now facing Paula Badosa of Spain on Tuesday, she added, “I think I hit the two-year mark this June, and we didn’t even acknowledge it or talk about it. So definitely have surpassed my expectations, for sure. I hope to just keep getting better.”
Navarro has been climbing the rankings, moving from No. 143 at the end of 2022 to her current career-best ranking of No. 12. She is seeded 13th at the U.S. Open, reflecting earlier rankings before last month’s draw. This season marks a real breakthrough for her, with a record of 49-19 and her first WTA title at Hobart, Australia, in January.
She explained her improved decision-making during matches, saying, “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. Now I see those situations as less of a choice and more of, like: I have to take this on in this way.”
Navarro’s journey through Grand Slam tournaments has been noted as well, as the 2024 U.S. Open is only her eighth Grand Slam, and she again reached the quarterfinals by defeating Gauff, having previously won their fourth-round matchup at Wimbledon in July. Her earlier performances included eliminating four-time major champion Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon.
Reflecting on her accomplishments, Navarro said, “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.”
Gauff acknowledged her own struggles in the match, committing 19 double-faults and 60 total unforced errors, but praised Navarro for her performance. “In the future, I have to take care of my serve. She’s a great returner,” Gauff said. She and Navarro, who were Olympic teammates, share a mutual respect, with Gauff expressing her admiration for Navarro’s personality off the court. “She’s super funny. She’s super nice. I always root for her,” Gauff added.