Emma Navarro is on the fast track to stardom, and she’s not slowing down. The American sensation has had a season to remember and is now gearing up for the semifinals at the Canadian Open against Amanda Anisimova. But as exciting as her rise has been, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Climbing the ranks as swiftly as Navarro requires more than just talent; it demands mental fortitude, resilience, and the ability to thrive under pressure. So, how does this young star manage to stay composed and keep her eyes on the prize?

Navarro’s success lies in her ability to stay grounded. She understands that while success can give huge fame and attention to her, the ability to stay humble would give her the desired results. In doing so, Navarro’s family has played a crucial role in her tennis career. The 23-year-old participated in the post-match presser after she whisked out Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-6 in the quarterfinals.

When quizzed about how she manages to keep up amidst the pressures of the Tour, Navarro credited her coach and family. “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.” Navarro acknowledged that she has now learned to manage pressure well, which can be seen in her latest performances as well.

The WTA star had a remarkable season so far and it can seen from her success in Grand Slams. While Navarro could only reach the 3rd round at the Australian Open this year, she found herself in the fourth round of the French Open with a better form. She continued the run and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, defeating World No. 2 Coco Gauff in the fourth round. Continuing further, she accredited her father, Ben Navarro, and her family for her success.

“Also, I just have a really great support team around me, the team that travels with me, and then also my family back home always cheering me on, so they keep me really grounded.” Navarro has often received the support of her father who is a big enthusiast of her game and tennis in general.

The 61-year-old COO of the Sherman Financial Group that runs Credit One, has been often spotted watching his superstar daughter practice and play on the courts. The Navarro couple (Ben and Kelly) were also spotted during Emma’s second-round match when she whisked out Naomi Osaka in straight sets in less than an hour.

Not many would know that the story of the Charleston Open’s resurgence and Emma’s success are undeniably linked. The then-22-year-old Navarro, in her fifth appearance at the tournament, had a sensational run with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over qualifier Katie Volynets. This intertwined narrative stems from Ben. He’s widely credited with the financial backing that revitalized the Charleston Open. And Emma has also expressed incredible love for her father. 

In an interview with Tennis Channel in April, the American had said, “I got to give lot of credit to my dad, he’s he’s uh probably the smartest guy I know and he’s dropped a lot of knowledge and wisdom on my siblings and I, over the years.” Coming back to Navarro’s current campaign, she is breaking all records in fashion.

Navarro leaves past compatriots Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins in new record at the Canadian Open

Emma Navarro has been the talk of the tennis town lately. She has demonstrated some exceptional skills and has established herself as a formidable title contender going into the US Open. On the hard courts of Toronto, she has etched new records for herself. 

It will be the first time in her career that Navarro will be playing in the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event. As she gears up for her next match, her record of match wins this season cannot be ignored. The WTA star has outshined her compatriots Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins in terms of the number of matches won this season.

Navarro’s latest win over Townsend was her 39th victory in the season, as she left behind Gauff and Collins, both of whom have won 38 matches each. Now, Navarro is only behind Iga Swiatek (52 matches) and Elena Rybakina (40 matches). Remember, these numbers do not include the matches from the Billie Jean King Cup that took place this season. If Navarro manages to win the last two matches of the tournament, she will only remain behind Swiatek.

With the US Open soon entering the picture, it would be interesting to see if the humility and skills of Navarro can help her achieve grand success in the tournament.