Claycourt Championship Week
Hometown Support Boosts Navarro to Girls 18s Titles
by Rhiannon Potkey, 27 July 2018
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From the moment she found out her club was hosting the USTA Girls 18s National Clay Court Championships, Emma Navarro’s mind began dancing with possibility.
Girls 18s Champion Emma Navarro
The blue chip rising junior knew the ideal storybook ending would be her posing for photos with gold balls in each arm while surrounded by hometown supporters.
“I was hopeful that it would happen that way, but I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” Navarro said. “I tried not to really think about that and just take it one match at a time.”
Navarro’s pre-tournament vision became a reality.
Playing in front of family, friends, club members, coaches and even her dog, Major Tom, the fifth-seeded Navarro captured the singles and doubles titles at LTP Tennis Club in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
The Duke-bound Navarro defeated No. 6 Chelsea Kung of Fort Worth, Texas 6-2, 6-2 in a singles final that was televised live on the Tennis Channel. Along with a gold ball, Navarro receives a singles main draw wild card for the 2019 Volvo Car Open.
“It was awesome to be able to win in my hometown and have a bunch of people there supporting me,” said Navarro, whose father, Ben, owns LTP Tennis Club. “To have them cheering me on each point and rooting for me every match, and not just the finals, was great. I am really glad I was able to win it for them.”
