Emma Navarro spoke about the things that she learned last season as she edged out Peyton Stearns in the opening round of the Australian Open.
The US Open semi-finalist defeated compatriot Peyton Stearns 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-5 in three hours and 20 minutes.
It was a hard-fought win but a win nevertheless that sees Navarro into the second round in Melbourne.
After the match Navarro admitted the win was not one of her finest but outlined her grit and toughness to get the win, “Yeah, one of the more unique matches I’ve played in a while, I think. Definitely did not have my best stuff today,” the American stated in her press conference.
“Yeah, it was just relying a lot, I guess, on my grit and toughness and fight. I think, yeah, she had a lot of moments there where she could have maybe closed it out or run away with it. I just tried to stay really tough. Like I said in the interview on court after the match, I just kept telling myself there at the end, Make the most of the skills I have today. I think maybe that’s something that kind of clicked there for me at the end.”
Although last year Navarro failed to reach the second week in Melbourne, the American had a very good 2024 season.
The highlight of it was her semi-final in New York which was her first at Grand Slam level as she reached number eight in the world.
Reflecting on last season Navarro revealed that she learned to enjoy the sport and is looking to unleash her creativity on the tour, “I think I learned a ton last year. I would say the biggest, or a big thing, that I felt last year was just enjoying playing,” Navarro explained.
“And I think when I’m enjoying myself on court is when I play the best. It’s when I’m most creative. Yeah, I’m just able to read the game my best. So that’s definitely something that I’ve tried to bring into this year.
“Yeah, I think a lot stays the same. Goals are kind of the same. Just try to continue to improve myself and get better every day of practice and every match. Yeah, I’ve had some things to work through coming back to match play after, you know, a couple of months away from matches.
“I kind of really felt like today, if I could get through today, I’ll be feeling the best I have so far this year. So hopefully I can take that momentum into next round.”
Navarro will be hoping she can do better than last year’s result especially as the eighth seed as she is in Iga Swiatek’s quarter of the draw.
Next up for Navarro is Xiyu Wang in the second round on Thursday.
