AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2025

Emma Navarro

Press Conference

E. NAVARRO/D. Kasatkina

6-4, 5-7, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Emma, I imagine you stayed out there a bit longer than you really would have liked tonight, but happy to get through?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, for sure. Had some chances there in the second set. Felt like, you know, I was in good position, playing well enough to close it out in two, and, yeah, I feel like she played really well on a lot of big points and made it really tough on me.

You know, maybe a couple shots there on those match points in the second set that I would have played a little bit differently, looking back, but, you know, it's easy to look back and say, This is what I would have done differently.

Yeah, was really tough there in the third set, and happy to get the win, for sure.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. When you are into a third set, do you feel as though it's more a test of physicality and endurance or a mental test and will of you against the opponent?

EMMA NAVARRO: For me, I feel like it's more of a test of mental will than anything. I have worked really hard on my fitness to be able to go three sets and play over two hours, three hours, whatever it takes. Yeah, I feel like my fitness has definitely paid off here in my first four matches.

So, yeah, I feel like it's more mental toughness than anything. I feel like I haven't been playing my best. Today was definitely the best match I have played. I feel like every match I have been getting a little bit better.

It's tough when things get close and you've been out there for over two hours and you're not playing your best. It's definitely a test of will and toughness.

Q. I wonder if you have any recollection of the 2018 meeting with Iga Swiatek at Charleston 80K?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, I actually do. When I look back at my tennis career, I feel like there were not too many times when I was totally blown off the court, and I definitely was kind of blown off the court playing her. I think maybe at the time she was ranked 200 or something. We played at my home club in Charleston. I was, like, Wow, this girl is pretty good.

Circumstances are definitely different now. I feel like I'm pretty good, too. You know, I'm ready for a good challenge.

Q. When you watch her now, does she play the same? How different of a player is she? I know physically and experience and stuff, but was she just more of a pure power player back then? What do you mean, "Blown off the court by her"?

EMMA NAVARRO: I just feel like I kind of didn't have a chance, and I was a way different player in 2018 than I am now. I felt like I didn't have the power, I didn't have speed, I didn't have really anything that could challenge her.

You know, I felt like I would just put balls in the court, and she would hit winners. It was kind of like a little bit of a clinic.

Yeah, but I feel like I'm a totally different player now.

Q. My question is also about three sets. You just mentioned about mentality and fitness, but your tennis has a lot of varieties. Do you think that when a match goes longer, you can analyze your players and you can adjust because you have such many options? Do you think that's the reason you are good at the three sets?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, maybe. It's definitely something that I can hang my hat on a little bit, that I have a lot of tools in the toolbox, and I can bring different things out when I need.

Yeah, definitely utilized the slice a good bit there in the third set. Yeah, I definitely rely a bit on my defensive skills and my ability to move laterally, but also move up and back.

Yeah, it's definitely something that I think, you know, helps me, especially when I'm playing a player like her that makes me hit so many different types of shots. Yeah, it's for sure something that helps me.

Q. Do you prefer to play three against Iga?

EMMA NAVARRO: Sorry?

Q. Do you prefer to play three sets against Iga?

EMMA NAVARRO: I prefer to win in two sets (smiling). Yeah, that's a goal, but we'll see what happens.

Q. Are there ways, specific ways in which your deep runs in Grand Slam tournaments last season might have taught you things, things you learned about how to do that, that you can apply now or that you can help you this time around?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, you know, I think I used to look at Grand Slams as, I don't know, a bit more than they are, I guess, and never really felt comfortable at Grand Slams until probably US Open.

You know, I was kind of thinking after the match today that when I made quarterfinals US Open, I felt, like, wow, this is pretty insane, but now, being in quarterfinals here in Australia, kind of feels like, you know, this is where I'm supposed to be, and I feel like this is what I prepared for and planned on. So, yeah, it's definitely different.

Probably, yeah, I think I just go into Grand Slams with a bit more confidence than I used to.

Q. You mentioned in your on-court interview hearing the "Stayin' Alive," and you wrote that on the camera. Do you ever think ahead of time what you want to write on that TV lens camera?

EMMA NAVARRO: No, I don't think ahead of time. This was the first tournament I have ever signed the camera. So, yeah, I'm getting more comfortable signing the camera. I think maybe after my first match I just put something pretty generic, but now I'm kind of having fun with it.

Yeah, it's something, growing up, I always saw the best players signing cameras, so to be signing cameras now is pretty cool.