Emma Navarro is one player who is making rounds on the news. She is making headlines for her recent achievements in the sport, as she beat Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka. Every player managed to achieve great results with the help of some inspirational figure in their life. For Navarro, her grandparents are the ones she looks up to.

Navarro’s grandparents have been the pillars of her support and have been with her at every step of her journey before her grandfather passed away in 2021. Regardless, she still looks up to both of them when she thinks of her goals.

Emma Navarro’s grandfather was a big part of her life – “he had this larger-than-life sort of personality”

Frank Navarro was a former American football player and an American football coach. He was the head coach of Williams College from 1963 to 1967, Columbia University from 1968 to 1973, Wabash College from 1974 to 1977, and Princeton University from 1978 to 1984, ending his coaching career on a rather high note. Frank Navarro was a big inspiration for Emma Navarro, as she revealed in an interview with Christopher Clarey.

“He was a big part of my life. He was a really tough guy. I would say he had this larger-than-life sort of personality, and it was really cool to have that figure in my life. It was very inspiring. It felt like nothing could stand in his way, and he was going to do things his way no matter what. I definitely learned a lot of lessons from him.”

Navarro’s grandfather supported her through every step before passing away in 2021. Now, her support system is her grandmother, who watches her matches regardless. 

“she always has something to bring to the table” – Emma Navarro talks about grandmother

Navarro now finds her greatest support system in her grandmother, who watches her match no matter the time of the day. After her recent win against Aryna Sabalenka, Navarro said she had always wanted to be a strong woman like her. 

“I always say I want to be my grandmother growing up. She’s the epitome of a strong woman. Maybe, besides my mom, she is the most caring woman I’ve ever met. She’s 92 but she always has something to bring to the table, which I think is so cool about her. She, yeah, just always shows up with energy and positivity. She’s a real light in every room she walks into, and she’s always been around sports.” 

“Yeah, seriously, I said the other day that she hasn’t missed a match, and she really hasn’t. Even when I was in Australia, she would be up at 4 a.m. watching me play.”

The dedication her grandmother has shown to Navarro touches her heart and helps her move ahead in tennis as she faces a difficult time becoming a great player. She also texts her after every match, win or lose. “She always signs her text, Love Gram, as if I don’t know where it’s coming from. I get a good kick out of that. Yea, it’s amazing.”

While Navarro faces a difficult time moving ahead, she has images of her grandparents to look up to. Now, as she will play in the quarterfinal, how will she fare?

Read More – Emma Navarro Turns Teary-Eyed in Her Special Shout Out to 92YO Grandma’s Unparalleled Support on an Emotional Indian Wells Night