US OPEN

September 5, 2024

Emma Navarro

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/E. Navarro

6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Emma, if you would, your thoughts on the match.

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, it was a really amazing experience being out there on Ashe playing an opponent like her. Obviously it's disappointing to not be able to get the win today, and it looked like, you know, I kind of got my teeth into it there at the end of the second set and I felt I could definitely push it to a third. Wasn't able to do so.

But, you know, it was an incredible experience and amazing atmosphere. You know, she played really good when it came down to the wire, and, you know, I didn't play as well.

Yeah, I hope to be back, for sure.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Always tough to lose, but I imagine you're walking away from here with a ton of positives, top-10 player, and I would say this tournament probably gives you a whole new lease on life.

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah. You know, it's crazy to have come into this tournament a week and a half, almost two weeks ago, and, you know, I was kind of joking a little bit with my team, but a little bit serious, as well, that I was looking to win one match at the US Open, and now to be leaving having made a run and gotten to the semifinals, and now I'm a top-10 player. It's pretty crazy, and I think it's a testament to a lot of hard work.

Definitely leaving with a lot of positives.

Q. What did it feel like walking on the court tonight? Was it different than the other matches? Did you feel the sort of gravity of the moment and then what did it feel like sort of going through the match as you sort of get into that first set against her power, and then, as you say, get your teeth in it, and you hear the crowd doing what they were doing?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, for sure, there was a different feeling walking out there tonight as opposed to the last few times I played. You know, part of it, it was the semifinals. Part of it it's a night match, my first night match on Ashe. You know, I'm playing an opponent like I did play today.

There was for sure a different feeling. But it's definitely a feeling that, you know, maybe I didn't deal with it 100% the way I wanted to throughout the match, but it's a feeling that, yeah, I'll definitely be seeking again. I think it's something that I'll only improve at handling.

Yeah, it was a pretty amazing atmosphere out there.

Q. How meaningful was it for you to do it here in New York where you were born?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, so special. Playing in front of the American fans, you know, with the American flag next to my name, I have a lot of pride in where I come from. You know, being an American is something that's really important to me.

You know, I got to represent the U.S. in the Olympics earlier this year. It's something that I care a lot about. To come back and be able to play in the U.S., especially here in New York City, it's pretty incredible. It's definitely pushed me to sort of look back at where I started out and where I'm at now, and I feel like it's only gonna keep getting better.

Yeah, really special playing here in New York.

Q. What are some of the things that I guess you can take from this run? I'm not talking matchups specific to this player or that player, but what are some of the things can you take from this that you can put to use going forward?

EMMA NAVARRO: I think something that, you know, I've been learning more and more is that there is, you know, pillars to my game. I think in the past some of those pillars have sort of been day-to-day dependent on how I feel with a certain shot or, you know, my confidence level with my game. I think I'm learning more and more that, you know, those pillars of my game are nonnegotiables. You know, it's how I play, and it's who I am as a player. And accepting that if I can't execute those parts of my game good enough on a given day, then, you know, I can't win that day.

But not, you know, sacrificing who I am as a player. I think in the long run that will give me the best chance, you know, to win matches and have the best results.

So maybe, long story short, just getting more comfortable and confident in who I am as a player.

Q. You said earlier in the tournament that you had the belief you could win the tournament. How did that fuel maybe your comeback in this particular match? What was it like to develop that feeling during this tournament?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, pretty crazy. You know, kind of talking about winning a Grand Slam, it's, you know, something that even just a few months ago was not really on my radar, so to now be in a position where I'm thinking about and working towards winning Grand Slams is exciting. It's motivating.

Yeah, for sure, you know, I wasn't ready for the match to be over there at 5-3. I really wanted to stick in there and keep playing. The crowd got into it, which was awesome there at the second set.

Yeah, it was maybe a little bit of a learning curve out there, feeling like, okay, I can win this, like, I'm in this. I'm obviously playing a great opponent, but, you know, I can push back against her serve and, you know, I can, you know, get ahead in points and play the aggressive game.

So, yeah, definitely a bit of a learning curve out there.

Q. Emma, you're a very rational person, very logical and composed. How do you manage your emotions when you go through even a late stage of a tournament like this when things have got to be going kind of crazy in your head?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, I a little bit. I try to just be super-present and, you know, I know who I am as a person and getting more comfortable and confident with who I am as a player.

I have a lot of trust and belief in the team I have around me, and, you know, my family is incredibly supportive and they're always in my corner no matter what. To them, I'm a daughter and a sister before I am a tennis player.

So I think it's really important for me to have those people around me that keep me grounded, especially, you know, when things can feel hectic or overwhelming or just out of my control.

So, yeah, just put a lot of trust and belief, I guess, in the people around me.

Q. I was wondering about Aryna's forehand speed. It was clocking in, averaging really high. Had you played against her with that kind of pace against her shot? Did it feel different tonight than it did when you two were matched up previously?

EMMA NAVARRO: I don't think so. It didn't really feel different, I would say. I don't know the miles per hour comparison, but I think the last times I played her it felt like it was coming pretty big over the net towards my side of the court.

Yeah, not really different, but, yeah, it's obviously a huge weapon. Definitely felt that at times today.