The tennis world is in shock as little-known billionaire Emma Navarro continues her giant-killing streak, taking down yet another top player on Day 7 at Wimbledon.
In a dramatic turn of events at the All England Club, world number two Coco Gauff was defeated by her American compatriot, Emma Navarro, on Monday (AEST). Navarro’s stunning 6-4, 6-3 victory over Gauff means only two of the top 10 women’s seeds remain in the tournament, told The Daily Mail.
Navarro, currently ranked 19th, has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time with her impressive win over the US Open champion. Gauff, who had previously made it to the semi-finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year, has yet to progress past the last 16 at Wimbledon since her breakthrough as a 15-year-old in 2019.
This shocking defeat follows the unexpected exit of world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round on Saturday.
“I think I played really aggressively. Coco’s an amazing player and I have a ton of respect for her,” said the 23-year-old Navarro.
With only fourth-ranked 2022 champion Elena Rybakina and world number seven Jasmine Paolini remaining from the top 10 women, Navarro’s victory adds another layer of excitement to this year’s Wimbledon. Navarro had already made headlines by knocking out Naomi Osaka in the second round.
Navarro’s rise has been swift and impressive. She won her first WTA title in January at the Hobart International and reached the third round of the Australian Open and the fourth round at the French Open earlier this year.
Born to Kelly and Ben Navarro, Emma Navarro comes from a family with a strong tennis and financial background. Her father Ben Navarro, is the billionaire founder and chief operating officer of the Sherman Financial Group, which runs Credit One. Ben Navarro attempted to buy the Carolina Panthers NFL team in 2018 and purchased the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati in 2022 under Beemok Capital. He has a net worth of A$2.2bn and is the son of former college football coach Frank Navarro.
“As a fan, father, and business owner, tennis has brought so much to our family,” Ben said in 2019. “Junior tennis has provided a place for our children to learn a work ethic, develop friendship through shared struggle, and learn to handle disappointment, defeat, and sometimes even unfairness.”
Emma Navarro’s remarkable performance at Wimbledon continues to captivate fans and shake up the tournament, as she proves that determination and talent can defy expectations on the grandest stage of tennis.