Navarro: "When I was little, I was ADHD (hyperactivity) or something like that"
Emma Navarro qualified for her first Grand Slam semi-final thanks to her victory over Paula Badosa this Tuesday at the US Open. After the match, she lent herself to an on-court interview, allowing us to find out a little more about the 23-year-old American, currently ranked 12th in the world. Here's her interview in full (video at the end of the article).
Question:
"Emma Navarro, born in New York, playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final. Emma, you came into this match looking very calm, cool and focused, as you always do. But what were you thinking when you were down 5-1 in the second set, and how did you turn things around?"
Emma Navarro:
"Yes, after coming back to 5-2, it felt like it could go down to two sets. And I just wanted to stay really strong and hang on. Even if I lost the second set, I kind of wanted to set the tone for the third set. So yeah, I'm really happy with my performance today and I'm thrilled to be going into the semi-finals."
Question:
"Hang on a second. I want to go back. You were at 5-2 and you suspected it was going to be a two-setter. Can you explain that?"
Navarro:
"Yes, I always say I can't see the future, but maybe today I could a little bit (laughs). I don't know. I just felt that maybe I could win in two sets."
Question:
"Okay, so you talked about this last year where you lost in the first round here. The change was that you went to college, two years at UVA (University of Virginia in Charlottesville). Could you believe that three years later, you'd be where you are today? What does this mean to you? All the work you've done and also for your team?"
Navarro:
"Yes, it means a lot to me. My coach and I have been working together since we were 14 or 15, you know, so that's eight years now. We've done a lot of good work together. (To her coach) So thank you for everything you do, for your dedication, for all the time you put into this adventure and for making me the player I am.
I also want to thank my father because I think he had a vision from a very early age. He knew I was maybe a little ADHD (hyperactivity) or something, too much to be sitting in a classroom or in a nine-to-five job. And I think he saw something in me from an early age. So, thank you Dad for sending me down this path."
Question:
"We saw what you were able to do at Wimbledon (quarter-final defeat to Paolini). You had a great win against Coco (Gauff, in the last 16 at Wimbledon), but in the next round, everything was a bit too complicated. What did you learn from that moment at Wimbledon that you put to good use today?"
Navarro:
"Yes, I learned a lot. I think at Wimbledon, I let myself feel emotions that I hadn't necessarily felt or needed to feel. You know, being in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament. Walking onto the court today, I felt much more comfortable and ready to play. I think I've reached a point in my career where I'm no longer afraid of any result or of making a breakthrough in any tournament."
Question:
"Okay, I have two more questions. You thank your father, but where did you get this calm, collected personality? Because I wish we all had a little more of that."
Navarro:
"That's my mother."
Question:
"You'll be playing the winner of tonight's match between Sabalenka and Zheng. Tell us what you think of these two in particular and what you're looking forward to in this match, and then in your first ever Grand Slam semi-final?"
Navarro:
"Yes, I've played both of them a few times and they're great players. I think they're going to have a great battle, but I'll be ready to take on either of them. They both have big serves, they're both great hitters. I think they'll be aggressive, but, whether it's one or the other, I'll be ready."
