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Emma Navarro has made a name for herself during the 2024 season and she is now a US Open semifinalist. The American, who continues to break new ground, beat Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 to reach her maiden Slam semifinal.
Fans in New York have gotten to know her better over the last few days. Be it her New York connection (she was born in the city) or her love for the big stage (she beat defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round), the 2024 US Open has helped viewers get plenty of insights.
There are, however, still many lesser-known facts about the relatively fresh face on the Tour. To help you get to know Navarro a little bit better, we have listed six interesting facts about her right here:
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1. Emma Navarro was encouraged to take up tennis by her father
Emma Navarro was encouraged to take up tennis by her father, Ben, who she said made sure that she had a racket in her hand as soon as she was strong and capable enough of holding one.
The American’s father was watching her play from the stands during the US Open quarterfinal against Paula Badosa. After her win, Navarro thanked him for seeing her potential and believing in her:
“I wanna also thank my dad. I think he saw a vision from the time I was really young. He knew maybe I was a bit ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or something to be a sitting in a class room or a 9 to 5. He saw something in me from a young age. So thanks dad for sending me on this journey,” she said during her on-court interview.
Notably, Navarro’s siblings, including brothers Earl and Owen, and her sister Meggie also played tennis.
2. Had won only one Grand Slam match prior to 2024
Coming into the 2024 season, Emma Navarro had won only one match at the Grand Slam stage. That win had come at the 2023 French Open, where she got the better of Erika Andreeva in the first round.
The American, however, began this year with a bang, winning the title in Hobart. She beat the likes of Viktoria Tomova, Yue Yuan and Clara Burel before getting the better of Elise Mertens in the final for her first Tour trophy.
Navarro has been on the ascendancy since, reaching the third round at the Australian Open, the fourth round at the French Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. She now finds herself one win away from a Slam final.
3. Billionaire father owns the Cincinnati Open
Emma Navarro’s father, Ben, is a businessman and the founder of Sherman Financial Group, LLC, one of the USA's largest buyers of consumer debt.
A billionaire, Ben, has several sports-related investments including the ownership of Live To Play Tennis Club, which has play hosts to several national and ITF-level tournaments, and past ownership of the Charleston Open.
However, the standout has to be his company Beemok Sports’ ownership of the Cincinnati Open. A combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event, the Cincinnati Open is one of the biggest tournaments in the tennis calendar outside of the Grand Slams. The tournament recently framed a new contract under which it will continue to be played in Cincinnati for the next 25 years.
4. Began tennis career by winning 14 straight matches
Emma Navarro took the college route to tennis, playing the sport during her time at the University of Virginia. The American enjoyed a successful time at the circuit and in fact won her first 14 singles matches.
Navarro went on to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Tennis Championships in 2021, beating Estela Perez Somarriba in the final. She moved to the professional circuit full-time in 2022.
5 Sport runs in the family
Sport runs in Emma Navarro’s family even though none of her parents are sportspersons. Her grandfather, Frank, however, was an American college football player and coach.
Frank had stints as the head football coach at various colleges, beginning at Williams College, Columbia University, Wabash College and Princeton University.
It is therefore unsurprising that her father also encouraged all his children to take up sport. Navarro has dubbed her father the “smartest” person she knows in past interviews but credits her calm personality to her mother.
6. A popular figure among colleagues
Emma Navarro may have a focussed, no-nonsense demeanour on the court, but is a lively and funny person off it.
Her colleagues, Americans in particular, have spoken about her ability to tickle the funny bone. Jessica Pegula in fact called her “a riot” and warned others to not fall prey to her serious outlook.
Another player who agrees with the assessment is Coco Gauff, who said she has gotten to know Navarro better during the time they spent together at the recently held Paris Olympics. She said (via the US Open):
“As a person she's a super nice girl. I've gotten to know her over the Olympics, and 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.”
When it comes to her tennis though, Navarro likes to keep things serious. She will take on the winner of the second quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen next.
