Emma Navarro’s ability to “smell nervousness” has been highlighted as a key reason why she beat Coco Gauff twice in the space of two Grand Slam tournaments.

2024 was a breakthrough season for 23-year-old Navarro, who finished the year as the world No 8 after starting the season on the periphery of the top 30.

The New Yorker won her first WTA title in Hobart at the start of the year and improved her results in the majors as the Grand Slam season went on.

Navarro’s form at the majors culminated in her reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon, before reaching her first semi-final at the US Open – beating Gauff at both events

Navarro defeated Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of Wimbledon, before prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the same round at Flushing Meadows.

Gauff finished 2024 as the world No 3, winning three titles and finding somewhere near her best form after falling to Navarro in her US Open title defence.

Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Andrea Petkovic claimed that Navarro had work to do to fully catch up with the likes of Gauff.

However, the former world No 9 claimed that Navarro was like a “predator in the woods” due to her ability to take advantage of nerves and unsettled opponents.

Tennis News

‘Novak Djokovic needs to be lucky to win another Grand Slam title’, assesses former WTA star

‘Bad’ Nick Kyrgios comments criticised by former No 1 amid Jannik Sinner row

“I think she is just a bit behind the best five players in the world right now,” said Petkovic. “But I definitely see her making the quarters [at the Australian Open].

“Her biggest strength is that she reads energies of the game, that’s why she keeps beating Coco Gauff.

“It’s like a predator in the woods, she smells the nervousness on the other side. It was the same against Paula [Badosa, at the US Open], 5-1 and then Emma just didn’t miss a ball, and back to 5-5.”

Following a breakthrough season, Navarro will look to maintain her position as a top-10 player in 2025.

The US No 3 will start her year at the Brisbane International, where she will be the third seed behind world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and compatriot Jessica Pegula.

She has then chosen to play at the Adelaide International, rather than defending her title in Hobart.

That will then be followed by the Australian Open, with the American set to be a top-eight seed at a major for the first time.

Meanwhile, Gauff will start her season at the United Cup, where she and ATP counterpart Taylor Fritz look to lead the USA to the mixed team title.

The 20-year-old then travels to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year, which begins on January 12th.

Read Next: T365’s 2025 Week 1 Fantasy Predictions – Djokovic, Raducanu, Sabalenka backed for success