Carla Suárez Navarro facts for kids
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Suárez Navarro at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships
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| Country (sports) |  Spain |
|---|---|
| Residence | Barcelona |
| Born | 3 September 1988 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
| Height | 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Turned pro | 2003 |
| Retired | 2021 |
| Plays | Right (one-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Marc Casabo Oscar Serrano |
| Prize money | US$ 11,920,116 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 516–345 (59.93%) |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 6 (29 February 2016) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | QF (2009, 2016, 2018) |
| French Open | QF (2008, 2014) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (2013, 2016, 2019) |
| US Open | QF (2013, 2018) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Olympic Games | 3R (2016) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 138–122 (53.08%) |
| Career titles | 3 |
| Highest ranking | No. 11 (27 April 2015) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | QF (2013) |
| French Open | SF (2014) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (2013, 2014) |
| US Open | 3R (2014) |
| Other doubles tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | F (2015) |
| Olympic Games | QF (2016) |
| Team competitions | |
| Fed Cup | 19–12 |
Carla Suárez Navarro (born 3 September 1988) is a Spanish former professional tennis player. She was once ranked as high as world No. 6 in singles. This happened on 29 February 2016. She also reached No. 11 in doubles on 27 April 2015. Carla won two singles titles and three doubles titles on the WTA Tour.
She became well-known when she reached the quarterfinals of the 2008 French Open. This was her very first time playing in the main part of a Grand Slam tournament. She also started playing for Spain in the 2008 Fed Cup that year. Throughout her career, she reached six more Grand Slam quarterfinals.
In September 2020, Carla was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. This was just a few months after she said she would retire from tennis. The next year, she was declared cancer-free. She even returned to play tennis again!
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Personal Life
Carla Suárez Navarro was born in the Canary Islands. Her father, José Luís Suárez, was a handball player. Her mother, Lali Navarro, was a gymnast. Carla started playing tennis when she was 9 years old. In 2007, she moved to Barcelona to train at the Pro-Ab Team Tennis Academy. She looks up to famous athletes like Steffi Graf and Michael Jordan.
She is in a relationship with Spanish football player Olga García. On June 2, 2023, Carla became a mother to twin daughters.
Tennis Career Highlights
Early Career: 2008–2009
At the French Open, Carla had an amazing start. She reached the quarterfinals in her first Grand Slam main draw. She won against top players like Amélie Mauresmo and Flavia Pennetta. She eventually lost to Jelena Janković in the quarterfinals. At Wimbledon that year, she also lost to Janković.
Carla reached her second Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2009 Australian Open. She surprised everyone by beating Venus Williams in the second round. This was her first win against a player ranked in the top 10. She then lost to Elena Dementieva.
In March, Carla played in her first final on the WTA Tour in Marbella, Spain. She lost to Jelena Janković again. At Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2009, she continued to play well. She reached the third round at both tournaments.
2010 Season
Carla started 2010 strongly. She reached the quarterfinals in Hobart, Australia. At the Australian Open, she made it to the third round. There, she lost to the famous Serena Williams, who went on to win the tournament.
She had a big win at the Indian Wells Open. She defeated world No. 3, Svetlana Kuznetsova. Carla reached the fourth round there. She also made it to the final of the Andalucia Tennis Experience for the second year in a row. Later in the year, she had an ankle injury. This kept her from playing until the US Open.
2011 Season
Carla's 2011 season had some ups and downs. She played for Spain in the Fed Cup. An elbow injury caused her to miss about two and a half months of play. She had to withdraw from the French Open.
She returned to competition later in the year. In early September, Carla reached the fourth round of the US Open for the first time. She won against several players, but her run ended when she lost to Andrea Petkovic.
2012: Olympic Debut
Carla Suárez Navarro played well at the French Open. She reached the third round. At Wimbledon, she lost in the first round to Samantha Stosur.
However, at the London Olympics, she got her revenge. She beat Samantha Stosur in an exciting first-round match. This was a great moment for her.
2015: Reaching the Top 10
At the Indian Wells Open, Carla reached the quarterfinals. Her great form continued at the Miami Open. She reached her first "Premier Mandatory" final. She beat strong players like Agnieszka Radwańska and Venus Williams. In the final, she lost to Serena Williams. Even with the loss, she entered the top ten world rankings for the first time!
She also reached her first "Premier 5" final at the Italian Open in Rome. She defeated three top-ten players in that event. These included Petra Kvitová and Simona Halep. She ended the year ranked 13th in the world.
2016: Career-High Ranking
Carla started 2016 very well. She reached the semifinals in Brisbane and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Because of these results, she moved back up to world No. 8.
At the Qatar Open, she had an amazing tournament. She defeated several top players, including Agnieszka Radwańska. She won the final against Jeļena Ostapenko. This win earned her her first "Premier" title. It was her biggest title up to that point. This victory also pushed her to a new career-high ranking of world No. 6! At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she reached the third round.
2021: Comeback and Retirement
In April 2021, Carla Suárez Navarro shared some wonderful news. Her cancer was completely gone! She announced she would play a "farewell tour." This tour started at the French Open and ended with her final appearance at the US Open.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she reached the second round. She was defeated by Karolina Plíšková. Carla Suárez Navarro officially retired after Spain was eliminated from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Her last matches were during Spain's tie against Slovakia.
Playing Style
Carla Suárez Navarro is known for her single-handed backhand. This is quite rare among female tennis players today. She has said that her favorite shot is her cross-court backhand. She also likes playing on clay and hard surfaces. Tennis expert Frew McMillan once said that her game reminds him of Justine Henin. He noted that Carla has a great variety of shots.
Apparel and Equipment
Carla Suárez Navarro wore Lotto brand clothing and shoes during her career. She used Wilson tennis racquets.
Career Statistics
Images for kids
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Suárez Navarro at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships
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Suárez playing at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships
See also
In Spanish: Carla Suárez para niños
