Emma Navarro, a professional tennis player, has spoken openly about the health challenges she has faced over the past few years, which have had a major impact on her career. She explained that these issues began nearly three years ago and were largely the result of decisions she made early in her professional career, particularly around training, nutrition, competition, and recovery. Navarro experienced significant weight loss, constant hunger, fatigue, dizziness, and recurring illnesses, even as her on-court performance continued to improve. In the fall of 2025, she was diagnosed with RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport), a condition where the body does not receive enough energy to support normal physiological functions, and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. These conditions required her to carefully balance her energy intake, physical activity, and medical treatment. Despite her health struggles, Navarro had a remarkable 2023 season, rising from around 150th in the world rankings to near the top 30. She played 88 matches that year, more than any other professional tennis player, and won four ITF titles. She also achieved notable results on the main circuit, including reaching the semifinals of her first 2024 WTA 250 tournament in Auckland and winning the Hobart tournament. She reached the third round of the Australian Open, her best Grand Slam performance at the time. However, Navarro continued to face difficulties, including trouble thinking clearly, poor sleep, and physical symptoms such as rashes on her neck and scalp. In 2024, she continued to perform well, advancing further in each successive Grand Slam and reaching the third round of the Paris Olympics. She finished the 2024 US Open in the semifinals, ranking eighth in the world. But her health continued to decline, with symptoms like constant hunger, dizziness, and weakness. A severe case of food poisoning in Lleida forced her to withdraw from a WTA 125 tournament, and a bad cold in Paris left her with headaches, mental fog, and extreme fatigue. During the grass court season, she struggled with persistent headaches and dizziness, leading her to travel to Asia, where she fell ill again and could not play effectively. In November 2025, after consulting with doctors, nutritionists, and specialists, Navarro realized she had been suffering from an energy deficit for nearly three years. She committed to her recovery, adjusting her diet, increasing her energy intake, and modifying her treatment plan. Over time, her sleep improved, and she began sleeping more regularly through the night. While she has gained weight this year, Navarro has emphasized that her health and well-being are more important than any number on a scale or physical appearance. She has announced that she will not play again in 2026 but plans to return to the tennis circuit in Australia in 2027.