Who are Emma Navarro’s parents? Billionaires Ben and Kelly Navarro lead family of US Open star
One of the breakthrough stars of the 2024 season, Emma Navarro’s career has reached new heights at the US Open.
Navarro reached the third round of a Slam for the first time at the Australian Open, the fourth round for the first time at the French Open, her first quarter-final at Wimbledon – and now a first semi-final in New York.
The 23-year-old has been one of the biggest stories of the US Open and, after beating reigning champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round, defeated Paula Badosa to reach the last four.
World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka is up next for the US star – but who are the people behind the 13th seed?
We take a look at the high-profile – and hugely successful – figures across Navarro’s family.
Billionaire dad
Her father, Ben Navarro, is one of the most successful businessmen in America, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.
Navarro grew up on the US East Coast and began working at Goldman Sachs after graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 1984.
After leaving the company after three years, he then joined Citigroup and worked at the group for a decade, before founding the Sherman Financial Group, a global investment company.
Sherman has become one of the world’s leading financial companies and Navarro has also turned CreditOne into a major global brand, after taking over the company in 2005.
Navarro also runs Beemok, a group which has had a growing influence in tennis in recent times.
Beemok took control of the Charleston Open in 2018 – now named the Credit One Charleston Open – and brought the rights to the Cincinnati Masters in 2022.
Behind the scenes mum
While her dad is one of the most prominent businessmen in the US, Navarro’s mum Kelly has kept a lower profile.
Kelly has been spotted regularly at her daughter’s matches – sitting alongside her husband in Centre Court during the biggest win of the 19th seed’s career on Sunday night.
However, she has largely played a behind-the-scenes role in her husband’s endeavours and her daughter’s career, not courting fame or a high profile.
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College football star grandad
Emma is not the first member of her family to make a mark in the sporting world, with her grandad a hugely successful college football player and coach.
Having played American Football for the University of Maryland from 1950-1952, winning the 1952 Sugar Bowl, Frank Navarro then turned to coaching the sport.
After beginning his coaching career at Columbia University and Williams University, he would ultimately coach for almost three decades, stepping down after six years at Princeton in 1984.
Navarro is widely considered one of the greatest college football coaches, masterminding a new defensive style of play while at Williams.
He passed away in May 2021 at the age of 91 in Charleston.
Tennis star sister
Emma is one of a growing number of players to transition onto the main tour after coming through the collegiate system, winning the NCAA singles championships when playing for the University of Virginia in 2021.
And she is not the only member of her family to embark on a collegiate tennis career, with her sister now following in her footsteps.
Meggie Navarro is currently playing at the University of Virginia and posted an impressive 20-7 doubles record for the collegiate season.
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