(March 13, 2024) INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN, California – No. 3 Coco Gauff celebrated her 20th birthday with a straight sets win over Elise Mertens 6-0,6-2 while countrywoman, No. 23 Emma Navarro had a very mute celebration in the upset of the women’s tournament by knocking off the second seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
The 22-year-old Navarro, a 2021 NCAA singles champion at Virginia, is leading the WTA tour in wins with an 18-5 record this year, This is her fourth quarterfinal of the year and first at the Masters 1000 level.
“I was able to stay aggressive on returns even though she has a really good serve,” Navarro said in an on-court post match. “Played some better service games in the third set and just was able to put a lot of pressure on her throughout. I think that’s what made the difference.”
“I’ve worked really hard over the years to kind of just get to this point and be able to play at a level that can compete with the best players in the world. I think that showed today,” said Navarro.
“Yeah, just excited to get the win. I’m ready for the next one.”
“I think it’s important to come out on the court ready to play. I felt like I was able to do that today.”
” I would say that this year Indian Wells I didn’t feel my best on these courts. I tried to adjust,” said Sabalenka. “We tried to work on couple of things, make sure I’m there and I’m fighting for this title.
“I mean, I would say that we did our best and we’ll learn. We’ll work a little bit more on the movement, and hopefully I’ll be ready for Miami.”
“She’s already in top,” said the Belarusian. “No doubt she’s going to be in top for a while.
“Yeah, she just played different rhythm, more spin. Forehand, really great forehand. Overall I would say she’s moving well and playing some different rhythms so you always have to adjust.
“If your movement is not there, then you will always be off the rhythm and you’ll be missing a lot of shots and making a lot of unforced errors.
“That’s what actually happened to me. I wasn’t moving that great today, and that’s why she forced me for all those unforced errors.
“But yeah, her potential is really great. I think she’s already in the top. Yeah, I think she have this potential to be in top 10.”
“I love to scramble, I love to get scrappy, as my coach says,” said Navarro. “It’s one of the things that I love the most about the game. Just kind of that cat-and-mouse aspect of sort of playing.”
“I think I’ve put a ton of effort into fitness and just making sure that I’m strong enough and I’m fit enough and I’m able to go the distance.
“I think having that gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I can stay out on the court for as long as it takes. You know, I’m not going to lose because I got tired or I wasn’t fit enough.
‘”That’s definitely something that gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve been working with the same trainer since I was maybe 12 years old, so we’ve put a lot of work in together over the years.”
“It’s always kind of interesting to see how I feel once I step on the court against opponents like Rybakina or Sabalenka. They are just, I guess, more experienced than I am and have played on these stages more than I have.
“But I think that one of the things I love about playing is that I get to challenge myself every single week. So playing an opponent like that on that stage is the same challenge as improving my forehand or improving my backhand. It’s one of the things that keeps me invested in playing, and it makes things interesting and pushes me to be a better player.
“Yeah, I always step on the court believing that I have a chance to win, and it’s always my priority to just put my best foot forward. If a win comes from that, then that’s awesome.
“But, yeah, it’s definitely cool to be able to play an opponent like that and feel like, you know, I can hang and I can win.”
Gauff: “Finally got a win on my birthday, which is great. Yeah, I have nothing to say about the match. It was pretty straightforward and hopefully I can continue the good tennis.”
On her 6-0 set: “Honestly, I think I’m trying to get as many 6-0 sets as possible because we have Iga who has the bakery. I can have a mini one.
“I did think about it, because I remember Taylor Fritz said in an interview…”
Now no longer a teenager, Gauff was asked about her goals for her 20s.
“I guess tennis goals, definitely to win some more slams, and I want to medal at this Olympics or 2028. That would be cool.
“Then life goals, honestly, I haven’t thought that far. Yeah, I mean, I’m not trying to do anything, I’m not trying to get married or anything. Definitely no kids.
“Yeah, just tennis right now and we’ll see where life takes me off the court
Definition of being an adult to Gauff:
“I think in certain aspects I have always felt like an adult, when I got on tour. But then obviously at home I still live with my family. My mom still washes my clothes and still helps me unpack my clothes.
“My dad is kind of the one helping me with my car. If I need the tire to be changed, he’ll do it, or wash it for me.
“There’s parts that I don’t know if I’ll ever grow out of that, because who’s going to say no to free help? (Laughter.)
“Yeah, I guess at 20, I mean, I would say, like, really at, like, when I got a car, which was when I was 18, I really felt like an adult because I was driving myself places. I didn’t have to ask my parents, Hey, can I go? It was more, I’m going. That was a weird transition too.
“Yeah, I think maybe when I got my car is when I felt like an adult. Also, when I get home, like, you know, my mom’s telling me to clean my room. You know, she’s washing my clothes. To be honest, I don’t really do that many chores. I say I bring other areas of support in the household. That should be enough (smiling).
“Then I have two younger brothers who, you know, don’t listen to me at all. I don’t know. Maybe when I will move out is when I will really feel like an adult, because I will have to do everything on my own. Honestly, I told my parents when I do move out, I’m still going to leave a lot of my stuff at the house, because they’re healthy. As long as they are healthy they can do the stuff.”
More to follow…
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