On the court, Emma Navarro projects an air of focused composure, a quiet intensity that propelled her to a stunning upset of Coco Gauff at last year’s US Open. But as Jessica Pegula revealed, ‘She’s a riot.’ This seemingly reserved 23-year-old harbors a mischievous spirit, a playful side that typically remains confined to the locker room. Until now. At Indian Wells, where she’s advanced to the third round, Navarro not only celebrated her victory but also offered a glimpse of her ‘dangerous’ off-court persona. “Don’t let her fool you.”

Navarro entered the BNP Paribas Open this week after capturing her maiden WTA 500 title win just days ago. Remember how she dominated that championship battle against Emiliana Arango? The World No.8 thrashed the Columbian qualifier while pulling a double bagel. Throughout her campaign, Navarro didn’t drop a single set. Well, if you go with that kind of form into the next event, you can hardly lose, even if you are on the brink of defeat.

Navarro showed it in the R64 of Indian Wells on Saturday. She saved two match points and came back strongly despite trailing the first set to beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(3). After the match wrapped up, the on-court interviewer asked if she throws 1000 fist pumps, yell a little bit, when she goes back to the locker room. Turns out, she only keeps calm on the court! Because off of it, she keeps her team on the receiving end. How?

“None of my team is safe after my matches,” she said. “I just go back there and start throwing hands, so that’s what you guys don’t see. I keep it cool, calm, and collected for you guys.”

Emma Navarro’s “Ice girl” nickname, given by her uncles for her laid-back nature, proved fitting at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open.

Facing world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, and the weight of a maiden WTA 1000 quarter-final, did not ruffle the 22-year-old. She delivered a masterclass, focusing on the ball rather than her opponent, calmly powering, retrieving, and scrapping her way to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory. Her composure was matched by unwavering tenacity. Ask how?

Even as Sabalenka threatened a comeback in the third set, chipping away at a 4-1 deficit, Navarro remained resolute, chasing every ball and maintaining her focus. This serenity stood in stark contrast to Sabalenka’s growing frustration, marked by 34 unforced errors, missed break points, and visible anguish, ultimately paving the way for Navarro’s career-defining win.

“I feel the best when it’s really quiet in my head,” said Navarro at that time. “Things happen, and obviously I’ll feel a certain way about them, but it’s a three-second emotion and then it’s gone. A lot of people have said it, but just having a short-term memory is so important in tennis. I feel the best when things just don’t get under my skin and I don’t have too many highs or lows, I just feel pretty steady throughout.”

Well, according to those who know her best, her locker room interactions paint a more accurate picture of Navarro’s character. “As a person she’s a super nice girl,” Gauff said last year. “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.”

So there you go! Next time you see her cool and composed in a match, you know what to make of it.

Coming back to tennis, then Navarro’s been in a sensational form this month. Seems like Merida Open was just a glimpse of what’s to come. While her second round Indian Wells match tested her skills, she handled the pressure well. But what was her reaction to this result?

Emma Navarro recollects her spirits despite challenging Indian Wells encounter

After clinching the win against the Romanian, Emma Navarro felt relieved and why not. At one point, she was on the verge of losing when Cirstea was serving for the match with a score line of 5-3 in the deciding set. “Honestly one of the best atmospheres I’ve played in,” Navarro said, addressing the raucous Stadium 2 crowd who stuck around to see her complete the comeback victory. “Just trying to get the best out of myself on my worst day,” she continued.

Navarro will now look to recreate the campaign from her last appearance in Indian Wells. In 2024, she managed to reach the QF stage before losing out to Maria Sakkari. A year ago, it was her best WTA 1000 run in her career before she went on to make it to the 2024 Wimbledon QF, along with a SF journey at the Flushing Meadows last September. As a result, she went on to win the WTA Most Improved Player of the Year award of 2024 season.

Speaking of her current journey at the BNP Paribas Open, Navarro will now lock horns with Donna Vekic. The Croatian is coming off her second round victory (6-3, 6-3) over Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan. Ahead of their third round face-off, Vekic has got a slight edge over Navarro. In h2h tally, she’s leading her 1-0, thanks to the win she registered over the American when they met during the 2023 Monterrey Open’s second round. Do you think Navarro will take her revenge this time? Let us know in the comments below.