‘Bit of a Rebel Child’ – 22YO American Emma Navarro Gets Brutally Real About a Concerning Element of Her Game

Emma Navarro had a stellar start to her campaign in 2024. Last month, she won her first WTA title in Hobart. And now she has emerged victorious at the R16 in the San Diego Open match against Katerina Siniakova. Next up for her is the Australian qualifier Daria Saville. But before that, she revealed a concerning element of her game during the post-match press conference. Do you think Emma Navarro’s backhand is her best shot?

This was her second meeting with Siniakova in a matter of just a few days. Although she successfully defeated her by 6-3,3-6,6-1, Navarro heaped praise on the 27-year-old Czech player and called her a “great player” who always puts up a great fight. 

Emma Navarro calls her backhand ‘more of a steady shot’

After defeating Katerina Siniakova for the second consecutive time, Navarro came to the post-match press conference. Talking about the concerning element of her game when asked to reflect a bit on her backhand, she said, “My backhand is more of a steady shot and my forehand is maybe a little bit of a rebel child. But, yeah, I think….I would say my backhand.”

The 22-year-old American tennis star is currently placed at number 26 in the women’s singles ranking. Emma Navarro spent almost two successful stints at the University of Virginia in 2021. In mid-2022, she turned pro and worked her way into the world’s Top 150. Navarro has been an absolute workhorse since the start of 2023 and played a total of 88 singles matches before starting her stellar campaign in 2024.

Reflecting on her current ranking, she said it’s “Pretty crazy, but it’s cool.” During an interview, she added that her goal at the end of last year was to be in the Top 30. She’s now 26th in the world. “I guess career-high ranking 26, it’s pretty crazy and it’s hard for me to believe. It’s just happened so fast… I’m still wrapping my head around that, I guess, and just trusting that I am that player that’s ranked No.26, it’s not a fluke,” added Navarro.

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Emma Navarro loves to grind. Her journey so far has been truly remarkable, and it stands as a testament to her hard work throughout these years. Her goal is now to keep on improving day by day.

‘The sky’s the limit’- Navarro

During an interview before the 2024 AO, Navarro said, “I’m definitely a perfectionist. And so every day on the court I would expect perfection from myself.” Navarro revealed how she keeps on believing in her abilities to stand tall at this level and how she has shifted her mindset over the years.

Talking about her goals in the near future she stated, “I think the sky’s the limit. My goal from here is to play great tennis, obviously. But just really enjoy the moment and enjoy the stage that I’m on.”

Emma Navarro believes that playing at the grand stages of the game is a dream come true for her and her family as well. All she wants now is to keep moving forward and relish the great moments of her career. Share what are your thoughts on the incredible journey of this 22-year-old American tennis player.

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