Former UVA stars – and NCAA champions – Emma Navarro, left, and Danielle Collins have represented the Cavaliers quite well at the professional level. (Photos by Matt Riley, University Communications)
With one Wahoo still in contention to win the tournament, the University of Virginia women’s tennis program has good reason to be proud of its alumni competing at Wimbledon.
Emma Navarro, who won the 2021 NCAA singles championship at UVA, played her way into Tuesday’s quarterfinal round after a stunning, straight-set upset of second-seeded Coco Gauff on Sunday.
Emma Navarro wins the all American matchup on Centre Court 🫨
The No.19 seed defeats No.2 seed Coco Gauff in straight sets to move through into the quarter-finals 👊#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/GlLznb6ywC— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2024
"Really grateful to be out here on Centre Court"
Reaching your first ever Grand Slam quarter-final on Centre Court against the No.2 seed - well played, Emma Navarro 👏 pic.twitter.com/G6ArNnvZxy— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2024
Navarro’s win meant the last two American women remaining in the field were Wahoos.
Danielle Collins, who captured two NCAA singles titles at Virginia (2014 and 2016), secured three wins in London before falling on Monday to Barbora Krejcikova in the round of 16, ending her deepest run at Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old Collins, who’s won two Women’s Tennis Association Tour tournaments since March, is retiring at the end of this year. Her story has attracted new fans, including actor Matthew McConaughey.
Danielle Collins is one of the secretly great sport/life stories of 2024. Major proof of ‘1st time’s the last’ mental state.
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) July 7, 2024
Navarro, Collins’ soon-to-be teammate on the U.S. Olympic Team, is considered a rising star in the sport. Seeded 19th at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old is in the quarterfinal round of a Grand Slam event for the first time in her career.
The ESPN broadcast of Collins’ Monday match included commentary on Collins and Navarro’s relationship.
“Collins and Navarro are quite close,” Mary Joe Fernandez told the viewing audience. “They text each other; they try to go watch each other play. Collins, being older, is more of a mentor to Navarro.”
Only two remaining American women in #Wimbledon?
Former NCAA Champion UVA players Emma Navarro and Danielle Collins#GoHoos 🔶⚔️🔷🎾 pic.twitter.com/qDGFEVFw25— Danny Neckel (@DNeckel19) July 7, 2024
Navarro’s quarterfinal match against No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini is set for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
University News Associate University Communications
fpa5up@virginia.edu (434) 924-6856
December 5, 2024
