From the moment Emma Navarro stepped onto the court this year, something was palpably different. The American star’s movements were more powerful, her strides more confident, and her focus more intense. The transformation was proof of her relentless dedication and unyielding spirit. Each match was a showcase of not only her skill but the sheer hard work she had put into sculpting her physique. Apparently, “she looks…whoa”!

The 22-year-old has witnessed a pretty remarkable season this year. Having won at Hobart International at the beginning of the year, Navarro reached to crucial stages of other tournaments like the San Diego Open, Indian Well Masters, and the Bad Homburg Open. Her campaign at the grass-court grand slam Wimbledon is also spectacular with the American defeating the likes of Naomi Osaka to reach the round-of-16. For the tennis pundits, a large part of her success can be attributed to the physical transformation that she has achieved lately.

Emma has lost a good amount of weight lately. This was also pointed out by German former tennis player Andrea Petkovic as she engaged in an interaction with Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs for the latter’s podcast in March this year. Speaking on the March 18th episode of Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Petkovic noted, “This girl [Emma Navarro] can really play and now she’s gotten so fit, she’s lost 5-6 pounds of body weight.”

Continuing further, the former German tennis player added the importance of a fit body in the sport. “It always has to be said when we talk about bodies here this a lot different than when we talk about bodies in general.” She was also echoed by Stubbs. “She was never overweight, she was never out of shape, but comparing her to what she used to look like which was always a good athlete, now she looks… woah,” Stubbs remarked.

Emma is known as one of the most fit players in the WTA circuit. However, the German highlighted that her intent was not to body shame Navarro in any way but to reflect upon the changes that she has been through. “When we talk about bodies in tennis we talk about it as a tool, so it’s not like bodies in general and we’re body shaming, it’s a tool.” Emma, too, has resonated with similar sentiments about her fitness.

Navarro has been open about her fitness sessions in the gym and shared how consistent she is when it comes to her training. In an interview with USTA, the tennis star had opened up about her intense gym sessions. “How I spend my time on and off the court, and not wasting any time during practice or in the gym and always having a purpose is what I am doing,” she said. Meanwhile, the World. No. 17 is depending on her physical strength as she continues her Wimbledon run.

Can Navarro’s ‘physical cue’ help her outshine Coco Gauff?

Emma has defied the odds more than once in the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam. After passing through Osaka in the second round, Navarro did the unexpected to defeat one of her fiercest rivals Diana Shnaider against whom the American had already lost two matches this season. She is now relying on her physical and mental abilities to continue her winning momentum at Wimbledon. 

Speaking after defeating Shnaider, Navarro, who lost the first set before bouncing back, said, that her physical abilities are helping her in tough situations. “Then just the more you put yourself in those moments, you learn little cues, mental or physical cues, that can help you,” she said. “I think that just comes with experience and being tuned in with how I respond to certain cues.” Her upcoming match against Coco Gauff represents another seminal moment.

While Navarro has the experience of once ousting a World No. 2 player, (she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in Indian wells when the Belarusian was ranked No.2), it will be fascinating to see if she can repeat the wonder yet again against her compatriot, Coco Gauff.