Emma Navarro ends 2026 tennis season early to treat RED-S and thyroid condition

Season conclusion and diagnoses

American tennis player Emma Navarro announced on Wednesday that she is ending her 2026 competitive season early to undergo treatment for two health conditions. The 25-year-old, ranked 24th in the world, revealed on social media that she has managed relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism over the past three years. RED-S occurs when an athlete's body does not receive enough energy to support intense athletic training and daily metabolic requirements, while Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system targets the thyroid gland, resulting in a slowed metabolism.

“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.”

Tour pressure and onset of symptoms

Navarro stated that physical symptoms began surfacing in 2023 as persistent hunger, a weakened immune system, and frequent bouts of illness. In 2023 and 2024, she lost approximately 14 kilograms while pushing through her tournament schedule. During her title-winning run at the Hobart International in Australia, she reported feeling uncharacteristic anger and irritability on court, wanting to smash rackets and struggling with perfectionism. Despite these physical warning signs, her results accelerated in 2024 as she reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, made the semifinals of the US Open, reached a career-high world ranking of eighth, and was named Most Improved Player on the WTA Tour. However, her health deteriorated rapidly following that run, culminating in a severe physical collapse at a tournament in China.

“I couldn't think straight a lot of the time. I had trouble remembering things and articulating thoughts. My brain felt slow and tired, as did my body.”

Medical evaluation and dietary adjustments

Navarro endured persistent headaches, dizziness, and severe fatigue during her run to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open. She did not receive a clear diagnosis until consulting medical specialists in November 2025, who informed her that she had been under-fueling for years and that her body was actively breaking down. Over the following year, Navarro overhauled her nutrition by increasing caloric intake and adjusting her diet to repair the energetic deficit. Although dizziness and headaches only receded a couple of months ago, she acknowledged that restoring her health took priority over aesthetic concerns.

“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.”

Results in 2026 and planned return

The early stages of her dietary transition coincided with competitive setbacks, as Navarro lost nine of her first 13 matches in 2026 and withdrew from the Charleston Open at the end of March. Her form improved later in the season, leading to a WTA title in Strasbourg in May, a runner-up finish in Nottingham in June, and a fourth career Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance at the US Open in September, where she was eliminated by Jessica Pegula. Navarro will now spend the remaining months of 2026 finalizing her medication and nutrition plans before targeting a competitive return at the Australian Open in January.