Emma Navarro is the new American tennis star, and her name is now on everyone’s lips as she has been ranked 8th in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association). The athlete seems to have been born into tennis, as her billionaire father, Ben Navarro, besides being the owner of Credit One Bank, founder of Sherman Financial Group and Beemok Hospitality Collection, is the owner of two tennis tournaments: the Charleston Open and the Western & Southern Open (also known as the Cincinnati Open). Emma’s grandfather is Frank Navarro, a famous player and coach of American football.

“I started when I was three years old, as soon as I could hold a racquet,” she said in an interview with Tatler magazine. “Growing up, tennis was a huge part of our lives. When I was very young, I was on the court picking up balls for my brothers and sisters. Then, when I could play anymore, my dad would throw balls at me. I stood too close to the net so I could hit the ball.” From the age of 9, Navarro practiced before and after school, waking up at 5 a.m. to practice and three hours after her classes. By age 11, the schedule was packed and, like any child preparing for championship play, she had to sacrifice her play and free time.