- American celebrated a milestone in her Grand Slam career
- I didn’t hesitate to take up a fan’s offer of a bottle of Carlton Dry
- Beer-drinking stars have caused controversy before
American star Emma Navarro has earned Australian honorary status after celebrating her second-round win at Melbourne Park by pouring a fan a beer and then signing the bottle.
The 22-year-old defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Australian Open’s Kia Arena on Thursday evening and then refreshed with a drink of Carlton Dry.
A fan gave her the bottle as she greeted the crowd after the win and she didn’t hesitate to sample it before signing the bottle with her Sharpie pen.
Tennis commentator Mike Cation responded by saying, “She just drank that beer and signed it. Respect!’
Celebrations don’t get much more Australian than Emma Navarro’s beer-guzzling effort after her second-round win on Thursday night
The 22-year-old was kind enough to sign a fan bottle of Carlton Dry after tasting
With the victory, Navarro has advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
She is on a roll Down Under after claiming her first WTA title when she won the Hobart International earlier this month.
Her come-from-behind victory over Elise Mertens saw her enter the Australian Open as the 27th seed.
“I don’t know if I can put into words the emotion, but it’s been a lot of years in the making,” Navarro said after the victory in Tasmania.
‘I played a very good first set, but in the second set I let my nerves get the better of me a bit.
Navarro is having a brilliant summer down under, claiming her first WTA title at the Hobart International before making her mark at the Open
‘It was very tough to hold serve with the wind, I’m really happy that I was able to hold on there physically and mentally.
“It’s really crazy to be here right now.”
Navarro’s beer drinking will bring back memories of Ash Barty’s lager booze binge after she won her home Grand Slam in 2022.
The now retired Australian enjoyed drinking Corona and Peroni with Channel Nine commentators in an act that was referred to an Australian advertising watchdog for allegedly glorifying and glorifying alcohol consumption.
That complaint was dismissed, but former former Australian Idol presenter James Mathison also accused the world number 1 and nine of 10 of “glamorizing” and “glorifying” the drink.
Wheelchair tennis legend Dylan Alcott also drank beer from a water bottle at that Australian Open on live TV after playing in the final, and Thanassi Kokkinakis told fans at Melbourne Park and those watching on TV to “sink ’em and come over here ‘. after he and doubles partner Nick Kyrgios won their semi-final in 2022.