BILLIE JEAN KING CUP: USA VS GREAT BRITAIN

September 20, 2025

Emma Navarro

Team USA

Semi-Final Press Conference

E. NAVARRO/S. KARTAL

3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Team USA - 1

Team Great Britain - 0

THE MODERATOR: Emma, congratulations. You must be thrilled giving the first point to the U.S. Talk to us about the match.

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, it was another battle out there today. I think in Billie Jean King Cup matches, I'm three-for-three in third sets. They've all been really tough.

I think the atmosphere was pretty tough today. Great Britain had a lot of fans. I think Team USA showed out on the sidelines, too. That was huge for me, having their support. Even when things weren't really going my way, they were cheering me on every point. That was huge for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. There were so many breaks of serve in that match, so much back and forth, cat and mouse. What do you think made the difference in the end for you to be able to make the comeback?

EMMA NAVARRO: I think I found a little bit more comfort and confidence in how I was playing. Yeah, it was really tough mentally. I think when I didn't feel my best about how I was playing, I just tried to stay the course and keep weathering the storm. I knew if I could be tough, I had a chance to win. Just tried to do that.

Q. I think you played Kartal a couple of years ago. It was much more straightforward. What was tricky about her game today? What were the things that were the most challenging?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, last time we played, we played on grass a couple years ago. I was definitely a different player then, and certainly she would say the same I think.

She has a lot more power in her groundstrokes. I think her serve's improved a bunch. She has the ability to open the court up with her forehand. Her backhand's solid, too.

Yeah, I think she's improved a ton since we last played. Obviously posed a tough challenge today.

Q. The team were having a lot of fun on the bench, the accessories. How much is that energy and fun environment helping with the pressure that comes with this competition?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, we've been having a blast. It's such a treat to be able to play on a team for however many weeks a year, one or two weeks a year. I think it's something that people that play other sports take for granted.

I think a lot of us really enjoy the individuality of tennis, but also when we get to come together and play as a team and cheer each other on and support each other, we have a blast. I think it's great that we get the opportunity to do that.

Q. The walk-on song, was that your choice?

EMMA NAVARRO: That was my choice. I think last time we had 'Enter Sandman', which I didn't have anything to do with that. Nobody was fired up when 'Enter Sandman' came on. I said, C'mon, guys, we can do better than this.

I threw 'Mr. Brightside' out there, which is classic college, like the bar is closing type of song (smiling). I think everyone knows it. Everyone probably has some memories with that song. I think it was a good pick. My teammates were giving me some slack for it. I mean, I had chills when we were walking out, so...

Yeah, that's what 'Mr. Brightside' can do to you.

Q. Obviously it remains to be seen what happens for the rest of the evening. If you were back tomorrow, does it give you confidence that you've come from a set down and you managed to hold your nerve and keep performing under pressure tonight?

EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, for sure. I think also just knowing that the level I walked off the court at was definitely higher than the level I walked onto the court with. That's kind of what I always try to do every time I step on the court, whether it's practice or a match. I always try to leave a little bit better than I came, as my coach says.

Yeah, for sure, I get a lot of confidence from knowing that I can be tough no matter the circumstances. Yeah, hopefully we'll get the win tonight and you'll see us back here tomorrow.