Emma Navarro has raked some huge numbers this season, with 39 wins, surpassing the World No.3 Coco Gauff and compatriot, Danielle Collins. Moreover, 2024 could be considered her best season. She moved further into Grand Slams than her previous appearances at Roland Garros, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon. And also made it to the semifinals of the Canadian Open. However, this all was made possible through consistent hard work and, of course, her sports genes from her father, Benjamin Navarro. And somewhere down the line, Navarro’s father also adopted her tennis passion, though not for the racquet but for the courts!

Navarro’s father has thoroughly supported her tennis dream. A football player back in his time is now a celebrated businessman, and tennis has become one of his ventures as his daughter makes waves in the circuit. Back in 2019, when she made her Charleston Open debut, the troubled father had sleepless nights worrying about her. “If you make me talk about it too much, I’ll start crying right here on the set,” he said. It was a special moment for the father-daughter duo. Ben had bought the tournament through his sports company, Beemok Sports LLC.

However, fast forward to 2022, the World No.15’s father did not stop at Charleston. He raked up a massive amount of over $300Mn to pocket another tournament: the Cincinnati Open, or more famously known as, Western & Southern Open. The prestigious WTA 1000 event was bought from the United States Tennis Association. And this year the tournament would be celebrating 125 years. Moreover, in 2023, the new owners made some additions to the tournament, such as a new fan zone, upgraded player areas, new food and drink offerings, and more entertainment, among others.

While debating the location of the tournament, Ben explained his vision. “Will look for ways to invest in the community and local tennis development in the future,” he remarked. Navarro has brought her father to tennis, and now her father buys tournaments, while she fights for titles. Perfect pairing! However, this is not all. Navarro herself is worth millions of dollars and could be flying high in the business world. But she credits her family, including her father, who has kept her grounded as she follows her passion.

Emma Navarro credits her father for keeping her grounded and for some years, away from tennis

It’s not easy to carve your own path. The daunting task requires a lot of support and skill. Navarro certainly has those, alone with a massive passion for sports, that she must have taken from her father. Moreover, her career path was majorly influenced and inspired by Ben as well. And when it came to college and sports, her father advised a gradual approach rather than rushing into the professional circuit immediately. Hence, she turned professional in 2018, steadily climbing her way up.

However, amidst all the hustle and bustle of tennis and business, it’s the family that has helped her navigate through the initial phases of her career. She credited her family and coach for her success as she detailed her ways to handle pressure. “My coach and I go about things in a very methodical way, and I think by doing that, things always seem very manageable and like they’re in my control…Pressure is something that if I take it on in the right way, I can use it to my advantage, and I can use it to sort of push myself forward and motivate myself instead of running from it,” Emma remarked.

Well, it might be home-like for Navarro as she looks forward to playing the Cincinnati Open in the coming days! Cheers to the ambitious father-daughter due and their success!