For Emma Navarro, Wimbledon's prize pot is like pocket money

Dubai: Achieving success at the elite level of tennis comes with many perks — biggest among them is the hefty prize money. Wimbledon is no exception, especially this year, with the tournament announcing a record-breaking prize pool. For most players, the motivation to climb the draw is financial as much as it is competitive.

But for rising American star Emma Navarro, it’s not the money that drives her — it's a genuine love for the game. And she can afford to think that way.

Navarro, 23, is the daughter of tech billionaire Ben Navarro, whose estimated $4.8 billion fortune puts her in a different financial league than most of her peers. To her, Wimbledon’s $4.1 million champion’s prize is small change compared to the inheritance she stands to receive.

On Tuesday, Navarro made a strong start to her Wimbledon campaign, cruising past two-time champion Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round.

According to the Daily Mail, her family wealth places her among the most financially secure players in professional tennis and comfortably tops legend players including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Raised in New York, Emma is the daughter of Sherman Financial Group founder and CEO Ben Navarro, whose company specializes in credit cards and debt collection. As of June 30, Forbes estimated his net worth at $4.8 billion.

Navarro's tennis journey has been closely supported by her parents, Ben and Kelly. In 2018, Ben purchased Charlestown Tennis LLC through his Beemok Sports company, acquiring the long-running Charleston Open, a premier women-only tournament. In 2022, he also made a significant investment—nearly $300 million—to acquire the prestigious Western & Southern Open.

Her parents are often courtside, providing steady support throughout her career. Emma has credited her father’s constant encouragement, especially his favorite phrase—“never give up”—as a cornerstone of her mindset.

Despite her privileged background, Navarro has earned her place in the sport through dedication and talent. She reached a career-high ranking of world No. 8 in September 2024.

Whether winning or losing, Navarro remains grounded. “I’m exactly where I need to be,” she often says.

In a 2024 interview with Tennis Channel, she spoke candidly about her father's influence: “I gotta give a lot of credit to my dad. He’s probably the smartest guy I know and has dropped a lot of knowledge and wisdom on my siblings and me over the years. He’s taught me a bunch about the perspective I need to take.”