Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday September 3, 2024
New York—What perfection looks like Emma Navarro? His longtime coach, Peter Ayers answered that question on Tuesday in New York.
Ayers, who has worked with Navarro since his younger days, says perfection isn’t a shot or a level — it’s a mindset.
“It was one of the first times we sat together, you know, going back to when he was 14 years old, and we pointed it out to him,” she said. So you’re a perfectionist, most of the high achievers, and it’s a great quality when used in a healthy, sustainable way.
“So I said, this is what I want you to strive for. I want you to strive for perfection in giving back. Things will happen. You compete in tennis, like, there will be problems every time you play.”
We saw that mental backlash from Navarro here at the US Open. She went on to drop a set in the middle to Coco Gauff during her fourth round battle with the defending champion. Rather than hang his head high he repositioned himself to play a strong third set that earned him the win.
Ayers says adversity is welcome for Team Navarro. It’s not the end of the world, it’s a chance to go back.
“When something bad happens, something bad happens, you get a bad call or you break a cord or the sun is in your eyes, whatever, you’re happy, ‘Oh, this is good.’ You know, this is an opportunity to go back,” he said.
Navarro became Ayers’ consummate disciple, embracing an attitude of, well, perfection.
“I think it’s easy to be tough when you’re playing good tennis and everything is working well, and you’re hitting all your shots well and things are going well, but I think being tough is when you can keep following your shot. and play strong tennis when doubts creep in and when you’re not 100 percent sure of just certain shots or how you’re playing,” he said.
Navarro, who will make his first semifinal appearance in his eighth major, had never won a main draw match at the US Open before this year.
She came from 5-1 down in the second set on Tuesday and eliminated Paula Badosa, 6-2, 7-5.
“I think it’s the ability to not be disappointed by things that don’t go your way or by making mistakes,” she said. “You know, he’s just like not being bothered by what’s going on out there, and the ability to keep coming point by point, game by game and never hit that limit, you know, I miss X. the value of this exact picture and I can’t take it anymore.
“Don’t let that happen.”
