• World No.15 Emma Navarro says she prefers to stay out of the spotlight and welcomes being underestimated.
  • Navarro reflects on a mixed 2025 season and the challenges of a second year on tour.
  • She will open the 2025 campaign at the WTA Auckland event and aims to build on preseason work.
  • Navarro acknowledges her fathers influence but rejects being labeled solely by his status.

Navarro starts 2025 at WTA Auckland

Emma Navarro, the American currently ranked No.15 in the world, confirmed she will begin her 2025 season at the WTA Auckland tournament. After a demanding year, Navarro says shes looking forward to returning to the court without the heavy burden of defending a large points tally.

Season review: “Ups and downs”

Navarro described 2025 as a roller-coaster: a mix of progress, travel and tough competition. “Undoubtedly, 2025 was full of ups and downs,” she told the NZ Herald. She acknowledged the difficulty of the second season as a professional and stressed that maintaining focus, adapting to rising standards and managing expectations remain central challenges.

Despite the inconsistent results, Navarro emphasized learning and steady development. “I’m always learning and I feel that the level keeps rising more and more,” she said, underlining that improvements made in the off-season will guide her opening events.

Comfort with a low profile

Navarro is comfortable avoiding the media glare that follows some of her compatriots. “It doesn’t bother me at all,” she said when asked about receiving less attention than players such as Coco Gauff or Amanda Anisimova. “If I manage to go unnoticed, that’s where I’d like to be. I’m not one to seek the spotlight for long.”

She added that being underestimated can be an advantage: it lets her focus on her game and quietly build results without external pressure.

On family and expectations

When asked about her fathers role as a notable investor with influence in sport, Navarro praised his generosity and work ethic. “He’s doing incredible things in many different areas and he’s very generous and careful with his time and money,” she said. Yet she pushed back against being defined by his success: “I don’t like being labeled for that. I wasn’t given everything as a child.”

Looking ahead in Auckland

Navarro said she enjoyed time off and a period of normal life away from tennis, but now shes eager to compete. She expects her week in Auckland to be steady and routine: a chance to apply technical work from preseason, regain match sharpness and set a tone for the season ahead.

For more details on Navarros interview, see the NZ Herald piece linked in the original report. Follow related coverage and media links from Puntodebreak: Puntodebreak on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Image Referance: https://www.puntodebreak.com/en/2026/01/03/emma-navarro-i-am-not-one-who-seeks-the-spotlight