Emma Navarro ends 2026 season to focus on health recovery

Emma Navarro has ended her 2026 season early after revealing a prolonged struggle with relative energy deficiency in sport, known as RED-S, and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Reuters reported that the 25-year-old American announced the decision in an Instagram post on Wednesday. She intends to use the remaining months of the year to work on her medication and nutrition, with a return to Australia in 2027 her goal.

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Navarro said her health difficulties had developed over almost three years, even as her career advanced. According to BBC Sport, she initially overlooked warning signs because her results were exceeding expectations. She described unfamiliar irritability, frustration and anger during her breakthrough title run in Hobart, as well as persistent hunger, while continuing to push herself in training and competition.

The physical symptoms continued through 2025. BBC Sport reported that Navarro experienced headaches, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating before consulting doctors, nutritionists and other specialists. She said she eventually learned that she had been under-fuelling for much of that period. The RED-S diagnosis came late in 2025, with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism adding another complication to understanding and managing her health.

Her account also gives context to a difficult opening to this season. BBC Sport reported that she lost nine of her first 13 matches in 2026 and withdrew from the Charleston Open at the end of March. She subsequently won the Strasbourg Open in May, her first title in more than a year, and is currently ranked 24th in the world.

Reuters reported that Navarro reached the US Open quarter-finals earlier this month, having climbed as high as eighth in the rankings in 2024. In describing her recovery, she said increasing her energy intake and changing her diet had gradually helped. She reported having more energy both for tennis and for activities away from the court after regaining some weight.

Navarro will not play the Asian swing as she continues that process. Her stated aim is to return next season, rather than resume competition before the end of 2026. The planned comeback remains a target: she said the coming months would be devoted to refining her medication and fuelling routines in the hope of feeling fully well again.