In tennis, success hinges on split-second decisions. Emma Navarro has mastered this art over the past two years—rising from college courts to the WTA’s top 10 while making deep runs at Grand Slams. Worn prominently throughout her breakout season: the De Bethune DB28 xs Starry Seas, a watch known for its lightweight titanium case and anti‑shock movement, reflecting Emma’s composed yet dynamic style on court.
Career Trajectory – From College Champion to WTA Powerhouse
While a freshman at the University of Virginia, Navarro captured the NCAA singles title—cementing her as a serious talent early.
Early Professional Years:
Turned pro in 2022, initially building her foundation on the ITF circuit, then jumping significantly in rankings during 2023 by winning multiple ITF titles and reaching WTA semifinals (e.g. San Diego Open).
2024 Breakthrough:
- First WTA title at the Hobart International, defeating Elise Mertens in a tight three-set final.
- Wimbledon quarter-finals, defeating top players Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff.
- Advanced to the US Open semi-finals, her debut deep run at a Grand Slam.
- Awarded WTA Most Improved Player of the Year, and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 8 in September.
2025 Momentum:
- Claimed her second WTA singles title at the Mérida Open, winning the final 6‑0, 6‑0—a rare “double bagel” in a WTA 500 final.
- Reached the Australian Open quarter-finals, continuing her pattern of setting new career-best Slam results.
Though Emma Navarro rarely speaks publicly about her equipment choices, her consistent presence on court wearing the De Bethune DB28 xs Starry Seas speaks volumes. This is not a watch meant to simply decorate a wrist; it’s a finely tuned instrument that mirrors the way Navarro plays tennis—precise, deliberate, and resilient under pressure.
Crafted from ultra-light titanium with De Bethune’s signature floating-lug design, the DB28 xs moves fluidly with her—never hindering the rapid lateral sprints, the lunging volleys, or the explosive, full-body rotation of her serves. The watch’s shock-protected movement isn’t just a feat of engineering; it’s a quiet nod to endurance, designed to absorb impact while maintaining perfect timing. And then there’s the celestial dial—an expanse of deep, starry blue that feels almost poetic when seen glinting under stadium lights. It reflects Navarro’s own ascent: steady, consistent, and hinting at a vast potential still unfolding.
Navarro’s rise has been anything but scripted. She didn’t arrive with the fanfare of a teenage prodigy; instead, she forged her path through college tennis, winning the NCAA singles championship before methodically climbing the professional ranks. Over the past two seasons, she’s delivered one career-best Grand Slam performance after another—from Melbourne to Paris, Wimbledon to New York—culminating in a top-ten ranking that feels less like a surprise and more like a natural progression for an athlete of her focus and grit.
Navarro isn’t the only player carrying De Bethune onto the world’s biggest courts. ATP standout Tommy Paul has also been seen competing with the DB28 xs on his wrist, underscoring the brand’s deliberate move into elite tennis. Though at different points in their careers, both athletes share a game defined by precision and adaptability—qualities that align seamlessly with De Bethune’s modern approach to watchmaking.
There’s a quiet symmetry between player and watch. The DB28 xs Starry Seas embodies understated elegance, engineered resilience, and modern refinement—the same qualities that define Emma Navarro’s game. In less than three years as a professional, she has redefined expectations, claiming WTA titles and becoming a mainstay in the latter stages of majors. Through it all, her choice of De Bethune has underlined a shared discipline: every moment, every movement, both on court and in horology, is considered and intentional.
That same discipline extends beyond Navarro. ATP contender Tommy Paul has also been seen wearing the DB28 xs during pivotal matches, signaling De Bethune’s measured step into tennis. Though their journeys are distinct, both players share a game shaped by timing, precision, and adaptability—echoing the very principles that guide De Bethune’s watchmaking.
Together, they reflect a new narrative in the sport: one where performance and artistry meet, and where a watch does more than track time—it moves in harmony with those who master it.
Discover the watch: De Bethune DB28 xs Starry Seas.
