'I deserve to be on this stage', says Navarro after beating Gauff

On Sunday, 23-year-old MMA Navarro expressed that she has occasionally felt overwhelmed when competing on significant stages. However, during her inaugural appearance at the US Open in the expansive Arthur Ashe Stadium, she found herself in her element, defeating the defending champion Coco Gauff, aged 20, with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Navarro, who is seeded 13th, had never progressed beyond the first round at Flushing Meadows until her remarkable victory over fellow American Gauff, which has secured her a place in the quarterfinals against Spain's Paula Badosa.

"I have previously played on large courts where I felt completely overwhelmed, almost as if I were having an out-of-body experience, but today was different," Navarro, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, shared with reporters.

"From the moment I stepped onto the court, I felt at ease, which surprised me a bit. I had mentally prepared for the worst in terms of feeling anxious and overwhelmed."

"The atmosphere on that court is extraordinary. The energy in New York is unparalleled; it truly is an incredible experience."

Despite Gauff's struggles with her serve and numerous errors, Navarro's assertive playing style and excellent court coverage frequently placed the champion at a disadvantage.

Navarro, who consistently targeted Gauff's second serve, noted that she is intentionally adopting a proactive approach when facing top competitors—a strategy that has contributed to her rise to a career-high ranking of 12 in the world.

"I believe I have transformed significantly as a player. I am now more aggressive, and every aspect of my game has seen improvement. Additionally, I play with greater confidence and conviction," Navarro remarked, emphasizing her enhanced decision-making on the court.

"This is partly due to the caliber of players I face; they will capitalize on any hesitation if I do not make confident, aggressive choices. Moreover, I have developed a stronger belief in my ability to execute those challenging shots."

"I am convinced that I can compete with the best players globally. I deserve to be on this stage, I belong in these rounds of Grand Slams, and I am capable of making deep runs."