Emma Navarro Steps Away From Tennis Season for Health Treatment

American tennis player Emma Navarro will miss the remainder of the current season to address two rare health conditions, with plans to return for the Australian Open in January.

Navarro announced on social media that she has been diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. RED-S is a condition where the body does not receive sufficient energy for high-intensity physical activities, while Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, leading to a slower metabolism.

"I have learned that there is no weight on the scale or leanness in your limbs that is more valuable than your health or your well-being," Navarro stated in an Instagram post. "I am taking the rest of this year to work on dialing in my medication and fueling protocols so that I can hopefully feel back to 100 percent again."

Navarro, whose father is billionaire investment tycoon Ben Navarro, reached a career-high ranking of No. 8 in 2024. That year also saw her reach the US Open semifinals and earn the WTA's Most Improved Player award.

She reported experiencing increased hunger and a weakened immune system since 2023 but continued to compete. Navarro has also spoken of dealing with headaches, dizziness, and fatigue during her run to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open. Her conditions were diagnosed in November 2025.

Navarro noted a gradual improvement after making significant changes to her diet and increasing her energy intake. "So yeah. I gained some weight this year. But I also gained my life back," she wrote.

Her father, Ben Navarro, a co-founder of Beemok, has reportedly invested more than $300 million in acquiring the Cincinnati and Charleston Open tennis tournaments in recent years.