It’s an enigma how Charleston’s Emma Navarro is cooler than the other side of the pillow under the brightest lights on the biggest stages. The 23-year-old phenom is harnessing her superpower and it’s an unflappable calmness that has lately given her an edge against the game’s greats.
The promised princess of women’s tennis in the Lowcountry, an Ashley Hall graduate and former singles champion at the University of Virginia, played some of the best tennis of her career at the best possible time and place. The World No. 14 notched her best finish yet in a Grand Slam, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon after rallying off four straight wins on London’s coveted grass courts.
It seemed as if everything was right in the universe and the stars were aligning for Navarro. Her near perfect play against the first four opponents, which included punishing Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka (6-4, 6-1) and World No. 2 Coco Gauff (6-4, 6-3) in straight sets, propelled her to a career best finish in a Grand Slam.
“I’m believing that this is possible as it’s happening,” Navarro said after defeating Gauff. “I’m starting to think ‘why not me?’ Why can’t I make a quarterfinal run? Why can’t I go deep in Grand Slams? I think I’m coming into that belief as we speak.”
On the week, Navarro recorded two aces, won 69 percent of first serve points, won 51 percent of second serve points and a total of 19 return games won. On the season, Navarro is 34-15 in singles matches, which includes capturing her maiden WTA singles title at the Hobart International in Australia in January 2024.
Navarro’s Cinderella run came to an end after suffering a lights out defeat (6-2, 6-1) from World No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, despite having defeated her in three previous meetings. Paolini went on to finish runner-up to champion Barbora Krejčíková. In hindsight, it was perhaps Navarro’s best week of tennis so far on her young resume, but her poker face showed otherwise.
“That mindset is definitely to not look at a day like today as any different than any other match,” Navarro added. “Just being able to look at individual matches for what they are and not make them anything greater than that.”
Stoic in victory or defeat, Navarro’s stone-faced demeanor is comparable to the expressionless guards that stand watch at Buckingham Palace. The manner in which she keeps her emotions in check is not only good sportsmanship, but shows great poise and maturity that are well beyond her years.
“Being even keeled comes naturally to me, it’s not something that I have to work on,” Navarro added. “This summer I’ve dealt with more emotions and nerves than I have in the past playing on bigger stages and higher stakes, I guess. Yeah, I think breathing is a big thing.”
Navarro is not only in a state of zen, but in peak form as she prepares to represent Team USA in the Paris Olympics, which begins July 27 through Aug. 4. The games will be held at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open, on red clay courts she’s very comfortable and familiar with.
By Zach Giroux
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