Emma Navarro's press conference following her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open.nnQuestion :nEmma, if you would, your thoughts on the match.nnEmma Navarro :nYeah, it was a really amazing experience being out there on Ash playing an opponent like her. Obviously, it's disappointing to not be able to get the win today, and it looked like, you know, I kind of got my teeth into it there at the end of the second set, and I felt like, you know, I could definitely push it to a third. I wasn't able to do so, but, you know, it was an incredible experience, an amazing atmosphere, and, you know, she played really good when it came down to the wire, and, you know, I didn't play as well.nSo, yeah, I hope to be back for sure.nnQuestion :nEmma, always tough to lose, but I imagine you're walking away from here with a ton of positives, top ten player, and I would say this tournament really probably gives you a whole new lease on life.nnNavarro :nYeah, you know, it's crazy to have come into this tournament a week and a half, almost two weeks ago, and, you know, I was kind of joking a little bit with my team, but a little bit serious as well that, you know, I was looking to win one match at the U.S. Open, and now to be leaving, having made a run, gotten to the semifinals, and now I'm a top ten player, it's pretty crazy, and I think it's a testament to a lot of hard work. So definitely leaving with a lot of positives.nnQuestion :nHey, Emma. What did it feel like walking onto the court tonight? I mean, was it different than the other matches?nDid you feel the sort of gravity of the moment? And then what did it feel like sort of going through the match as you sort of get into that first set against your power, and then as you say, get your teeth into it, and you hear the crowd doing what they were doing?nnNavarro :nYeah, for sure, there was a different feeling walking out there tonight as opposed to last few times I played. You know, part of it's it was the semifinals, part of it it's a night match, my first night match on Ash, and I'm playing an opponent like I did play today. There's for sure a different feeling, but it's definitely a feeling that maybe I didn't deal with it 100% the way I wanted to throughout the match, but it's a feeling that I'll definitely be seeking again, and I think it's something that I'll only improve at handling, and, yeah, it was a pretty amazing atmosphere out there.nnQuestion :nPeter, it's Ben D'Orio, New York Daily News. How meaningful was it for you to do it here in New York, you know, where you were born?nnNavarro :nYeah, so special. Playing in front of the American fans, you know, with the American flag next to my name, I have a lot of pride in where I come from, and, you know, being an American is something that's really important to me, and, you know, I got to represent the U.S. in the Olympics earlier this year. It's something that I care a lot about, so to come back and be able to play in the U.S., especially here in New York City, it's pretty incredible, and it's definitely pushed me to sort of look back at, you know, where I started out and where I'm at now, and I feel like it's only going to keep getting better. So, yeah, really special playing here in New York.nnQuestion :nBrian Lewis from the New York Post. What are some of the things that I guess that you can take from this run? And I'm not talking matchups specific to this player or that player, but what are some of the things that you can take from this that you can put to use going forward?nnNavarro :nI think something that, you know, I've been learning more and more is that there's, you know, pillars to my game, and I think in the past some of those pillars have sort of been day-to-day dependent on how I feel with a certain shot or, you know, my confidence level with my game, and I think I'm learning more and more that, you know, those pillars of my game are non-negotiables, and, you know, it's how I play, and it's who I am as a player, and accepting that if I can't execute those parts of my game good enough on a given day, then, you know, I can't win that day, but not, you know, sacrificing who I am as a player, and I think in the long run that will give me the best chance, you know, to win matches and have the best results. So maybe long story short, just getting more comfortable and confident in who I am as a player.nnQuestion :nYou said earlier in the tournament that you had the belief you could win the tournament. How did that fuel maybe your comeback in this particular match, and what was it like to develop that feeling during this tournament?nnNavarro :nYeah, pretty crazy. You know, kind of talking about winning a Grand Slam, it's, you know, something that even just a few months ago I, you know, was not even really on my radar, so to now be in a position where, you know, I'm thinking about and working towards winning Grand Slams is exciting and it's motivating, and, yeah, for sure, you know, I wasn't ready for the match to be over there at 5-3. I really wanted to stick in there and keep playing, and, you know, the crowd got into it, which was awesome there at the second set.nYeah, it was maybe a little bit of a learning curve out there, you know, feeling like, okay, I can win this, like I'm in this, and I'm obviously playing a great opponent, but, you know, I can push back against her serve, and, you know, I can be – I can, you know, get ahead in points and play the aggressive game. So, yeah, definitely a bit of a learning curve out there.nnQuestion :nEmma, you're a very rational person, very logical and composed.nSo how do you manage your emotions when you go through even a late stage of a tournament like this when things have got to be going kind of crazy in your head?nnNavarro :nYeah, a little bit. I try to just be super present and, you know, I know who I am as a person and I'm getting more comfortable and confident with who I am as a player. And I have a lot of trust and belief in the team that I have around me.nAnd, you know, my family is incredibly supportive, and they're always in my corner no matter what. And, you know, to them I'm a daughter and a sister before I am a tennis player. So I think it's really important for me to have those people around me that keep me grounded, especially, you know, when things can feel hectic or overwhelming or just out of my control.nSo, yeah, I just put a lot of trust and belief, I guess, in the people around me.nnQuestion :nDiane De Costanza from the USTA. I was wondering about Irina's forehand speed.nIt was clocking in, averaging really high. Had you played against her with that kind of pace against her shot? Did it feel different tonight than it did when you two were matched up previously?nnNavarro :nI don't think so. It didn't really feel different, I would say. I don't know the miles per hour comparison, but, yeah, I think the last times I played her it felt like it was coming pretty big over the net.nTowards my side of the court. So, yeah, not really different, but it's obviously a huge weapon and definitely felt that at times today.

Watch the match highlights from Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Nuno Borges in the 2nd round of the 2024 US Open in New York City.

Watch the match highlights from Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Alexander Zverev in the 3rd round of the 2024 US Open in New York City.

Watch the match highlights from Daniel Evans vs Karen Khachanov in the 3rd round of the 2024 US Open in New York City.

Aryna Sabalenka's press conference following her win against Emma Navarro in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open.nnQuestion :nIrina, if you would, your thoughts on the win?nnAryna Sabalenka :nYeah, that was a very difficult match, especially at the end of the second set. I got a little emotional and had this little flashback on last year's final, meaning the crowd atmosphere. And I'm really glad that the lesson was learned and I was able to control my emotions and I was able to close this match in two sets.nnQuestion :nBrian Lewis, Eric Bose. You touched on it, but just how much growth have you made in that area where you have a home crowd obviously cheering for their player and you don't let that, for lack of a better term, get in your head?nnSabalenka :nYeah, I mean, last year was a very tough experience, very tough lesson. And today in the match I was like, no, no, no, Irina, it's not going to happen again. You have to control your emotions, you have to focus on yourself.nAnd there were people supporting for me, I was trying to focus on them, thinking like, come on, there are so many people supporting you. There is your team in the box, there is your family. Just focus on yourself and try to fight for it.nAnd yeah, that's it.nnQuestion :nWhat went into your decision not to play the Olympics? Did it have anything to do with not being able to represent your nation? And now, looking back, do you feel grateful that you did skip it because it allowed you to be prepared for this tournament?nnSabalenka :nI mean, first of all, I got injured before Wimbledon, so I couldn't play anyway. But my decision was based on the tough scheduling, you know, and you have to sacrifice something. And I decided to sacrifice the Olympics for the hardcore season.nAnd I have no regrets on that decision. I mean, it looks like it was the right one. And I had a great kind of like time off.nI did a lot of treatment, a lot of free hop and all that stuff. And then I had a little camp before the hardcore season. And I was able to reset my mind and clean my thoughts and start everything from the beginning.nnQuestion :nI mean, you've had some rough nights here, you referenced last year and had some other things. And yet you seem kind of happy here when you come to this tournament and like you're fresh and it's new. What is it?nOpen mind and sort of seemingly be optimistic after all that's happened to you here?nnSabalenka :nThis year, you said? After everything happened to me this year?nnQuestion :nWell, no, not this year.nnSabalenka :nJust here in the past.nnQuestion :nNo, I'm talking about just at the US Open in New York. I mean, some people would be like, I'm never going to that place again.nnSabalenka :nNo, that's not about me. Yeah, I had really tough lessons here in the past, really. Like, as I think I had so many opportunities here, but they didn't use it for different reasons.nI wasn't ready. Then I got emotional. Then I just couldn't handle the crowd.nAnd so many times, like, not so many times, like I felt like I just missed opportunity. And every time I'm coming back here, I really enjoy being in New York. I enjoy this court, I enjoy crowd, I enjoy playing in front of, in this beautiful stadium in front of the crowd.nAnd I enjoy the city, the time of the court. And every time I'm coming back here, I have this positive thinking only like, come on, maybe, maybe this time. And every time I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to hold that beautiful trophy.nAnd, you know, like, tough losses never, how to say, like, makes me feel depressed. I'm like, not one, like, not thinking, like, of not coming back on the tournament. It's only motivate me to come back and to try one more time, and try harder, and maybe, like, work harder on some things which didn't work in the past.nAnd, yeah, and I'm still hoping to hold that beautiful trophy.nnQuestion :nHi, David King, tennis.com. As much as you enjoy the crowd, what is the toughest part about the crowd on Ash? Is it the fact that they're supporting an American?nIs it the loudness? Is it when they're cheering? Like, what makes it tricky?nnSabalenka :nI would say that, I mean, today wasn't that crazy, actually. They were loud, but during the point, they were respectful and chill, you know. And last year, they were just super loud, even during the point.nAnd it was that loud, so it was blocking my ears. So that was, like, so much pressure. And I think the mistake was that I was focusing on myself, but I didn't think that she's actually also on the same court, feeling the same loudness from the crowd, and we're all in the same conditions.nYeah, they're cheering for her, but how can they help her to win the match? You know, only if I let them get into my head, and only if I'm going to lose my, just lose myself, you know, get crazy. So, yeah, the trickiest is the loudness of how loud it can be in the stadium.nReally, and then smash.nnQuestion :nThey're out playing your next opponent, so we don't know for sure who it'll be. Individually, though, starting with Jessica, what are your thoughts on the matches you've had before and the outlook for this one?nnSabalenka :nYeah, I mean, we had a lot of great battles in the past, really difficult, tight matches. And she played really incredible tennis, and we played recently in Cincinnati. It was a really tough match, even though I closed the match in two sets, but still it wasn't that easy.nAnd she's playing her best tennis, I would say, and it feels like she's back on track. I mean, she won the tournament, then she made the final, then she's here a step away from another final. So she's in incredible shape, and it's going to be another great battle against her.nAnd, yeah, I cannot wait to play against her.nnQuestion :nAnd if it's Mukhova, what are your thoughts on what she's done and coming back from injury to regain her form?nnSabalenka :nYeah, that's really incredible, and I'm really happy for her. I mean, she faced so many challenges, so many injuries, and every time she's able to come back on the top level, she's playing incredible tennis. The variation is impressive.nSerf and Wally, great player, and I had really tight, tough losses in the past to her. So I'm really looking forward to get that revenge.nnQuestion :nA couple of days ago here, you talked about that you are practising slices and volley often, and today you made these shots at very crucial points. So how did you think that it's important for you to have that kind of options, and how happy you are to make these very important points?nnSabalenka :nYeah, I think it's really important to have all the skills, all the variation in your game, especially in those crucial moments when the opponent is used to one tennis from me, and if I'm able to play around and change it whenever I need, whenever I feel like I have to. I think that makes the difference, and that's what puts my opponent even under more pressure. I think that's very important, and I'm really happy that we're working on everything with my team and trying to improve every aspect of my game.nSo, yeah, I think that's really important, and as you said, on the crucial moments, these things really help me.nnQuestion :nYou've talked about finding calm in your life and learning to separate personal life from tennis, but I'm just wondering, have you also learned to carry some of that calm onto the court, maybe in tight situations like tonight in the second set?nnSabalenka :nYeah, I worked really hard on my mindset on the match, and I think I made a really huge improvement on that calmness, on those crucial moments, and I'm really happy to see that in those key moments I'm able to stay focused and just try to do my best and focus on my tennis, on things which I have to do to win this match, not like on the outside, and even if things are not working well for me, I still keep doing the right things, and I'm staying in control.nI'm really proud. I'm actually really proud of myself that I was able to...

For Alcaraz's 21st birthday, relax and watch his best 21 shots so far on the ATP Tour, selected by the ATP.