Emma Navarro recreates iconic Kobe Bryant shower pose from 2 decades ago after beating Jessica Pegula in Garden Cup showdown
Emma Navarro defeated Jessica Pegula to lift the 2024 Garden Cup on December 4. To celebrate her victory, the American took inspiration from late NBA star Kobe Bryant and replicated his famous pose from over 20 years ago.
Navarro and Pegula were featured in the first Garden Cup edition in six years, alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton at New York City's Madison Square Garden. The women began the show at the iconic venue and entertained the crowd with their play.
Navarro edged past Pegula to take the first set via a tiebreaker and closed out the match in the second set 7-6, 7-5. The World No. 8 was pleased to win the contest and celebrated her victory by recreating an iconic photograph of Kobe Bryant.
The 23-year-old posted a picture on Instagram holding the trophy in one hand, with the other hand on her face while sitting in the locker room. The image resonated with Kobe Bryant's famous picture after winning the 2001 NBA, in which he is sitting in a shower stall with the trophy in his hand and a frown on his face.
Bryant's shower stall image has become a legend in NBA history. However, its back story is an emotional one. During the 2001 NBA, Bryant was not on good terms with his parents and had a falling-out with them over his engagement to Vanessa Laine (now Vanessa Bryant).
Things got so bad that his parents did not attend the wedding and were not present at any of the games during the 2001 season. Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers won their second consecutive NBA title in 2001 after beating the Philadelphia 76ers in the finals.
Before Emma Navarro, WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark did her best to recreate Bryant's shower picture. After leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to a third straight Big Ten conference championship in March 2024, Clark was photographed sitting in the shower stall with the trophy as a homage to Bryant.
Emma Navarro delighted to play at Madison Square Garden; thanks fans for their support
Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula appeared for a joint post-match interview at the Garden Cup. Speaking to Tennis Channel's Prakash Amritraj, Navarro praised the ambience inside Madison Square Garden and was stunned by the quick transition from a basketball court a day before to a tennis court for the exhibition.
"Just so special to be here, playing in this arena. We came to the Knicks game the last night, and now they have a tennis court out here, and we're playing. It's insane, and thank you guys all for coming out to watch," Navarro said.
Navarro, a New York City native, wrapped up the 2024 season at her highest career ranking of World No. 8. She was ranked World No. 32 at the start of the year and won her maiden tour title at WTA 250 Hobart International. She then bettered her Grand Slam record with each passing tournament.
She reached the third round at the Australian Open, the fourth round at Roland Garros, the quarterfinal at Wimbledon, and the semifinal at the US Open. Navarro lost to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the last four contest at Flushing Meadows.