Emma Navarro is currently on a roll. The American youngster beat Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16 of the Indian Wells Masters. Navarro was on cloud nine after her victory. She also smiled because one of her biggest fans didn’t have to stay up too late to watch her clash as she sent the Australian Open Champion packing.
Navarro first thanked her grandmother during her round of 32 triumphs over Elina Svitolina. She had a long bout in that clash, but her grandmother was willing to stay up late, which evoked the shout-out. Now, she managed to go ahead in a normally scheduled bout.
“I think she was in tears” – Emma Navarro gives another shout-out to a 92-year-old fan
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The round of 16 saw Navarro face Sabalenka, which was a match many believed would be taken home by the Belarusian beauty. However, the American youngster would beat the two-time grand slam champion 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. The surprising result led to a rousing cheer, and Navarro would go on to mention her grandma once again,
Navarro after beating Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells
“Your 92 year old Grammy didn’t have to stay up til 3 in the morning to watch her granddaughter get the biggest win of her career”
Emma: “I think she was in tears the other night after I gave her that shout out on TV 🥹.… pic.twitter.com/4K7eSV1l6b
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 13, 2024
In the post-win on-court interview, the interviewer said that her clash ended much earlier and that her grandma didn’t have to stay up too late to watch her this time. Navarro gave her another shout-out, saying, “I think she was in tears the other night after I gave her that shout out on TV 🥹. Happy she could watch my match at a normal hour. Thanks for watching again Gram.”
Previously, Navarro talked about her grandma when she beat the Ukrainian Svitolina in the match before Sabalenka. After her win against the former number 3, the current number 23 had thanked her grandmother for supporting her victory.
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“She’s 92 and she’s awake” – Navarro’s initial shout-out to grandmother
Elated after defeating Svitolina in three sets, Navarro went on to thank her 92-year-old grandmother for watching her match, which lasted until late at night. During the post-match interview, she said, “I have to give a special shout out to my grandmother. She’s 92 and she’s awake watching at home. I don’t think she’s missed a match since I’ve been on tour. Shout out to Grammy. Thanks for watching.”
Navarro’s performances have been outstanding in the last few weeks, and she also won an exhibition event with Ben Shelton. The 22-year-old player managed to keep her momentum going in the Indian Wells Open as well.
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Now that she has beaten Sabalenka, she will go on to play against Maria Sakkari as she aims to continue her best stint in the BNP Paribas Open. How far can she go now that she has beaten the WTA number 2?
Read More – Vulnerable Emma Navarro Confesses to Her Major ‘Fear’ Following Recent Breakthrough in Tennis