{
  "id": 11121911,
  "title": "Navarro ends 2026 season early, reveals long-running health struggles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/navarro-ends-2026-season-early-reveals-long-running-health-struggles",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T06:16:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40442148/navarro-ends-2026-season-early-reveals-long-running-health-struggles"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro has disclosed that she has been grappling with RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism for the past three years. The 25-year-old American, who advanced to the quarter-finals of her home Grand Slam this month, announced in an Instagram post that she opted to finish her 2026 season early to focus on medication and fueling strategies. Navarro aims to return for the Australian Open next year, emphasizing that her health and well-being are more important than maintaining a certain weight or leanness. She explained that she is fine-tuning her medication and fueling protocols to regain her optimal health. RED-S is a condition where athletes do not receive sufficient energy for intense physical activities, while Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder that causes a slower metabolism due to the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. Despite experiencing increased hunger and a weakened immune system since 2023, Navarro pushed through to keep up with the demanding tennis schedule. She battled headaches, dizziness, and fatigue during her quarter-final run at the 2025 Australian Open, which only became clear to her after doctors diagnosed her with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism in November of that year. Over the past year, Navarro has dedicated herself to changing her diet and increasing her energy intake, gradually improving her condition. Although she gained weight this year, she feels she has regained her life, having restored her energy to pursue her passion for tennis and other aspects of life with vigor.",
  "summary": "Former US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro has revealed that she has been struggling with RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism for the last three years, and ended her 2026 season early to work on medication and fueling protocols. The 25-year-old American, who reached the quarter-finals of her home Grand Slam earlier this month, said in an Instagram post on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Emma Navarro battled RED-S and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism for three years.",
    "25-year-old American tennis player ends 2026 season early for health.",
    "Navarro aims to return for Australian Open next year, prioritizing well-being."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Navarro's decision to end her 2026 season early marks a turning point in prioritizing her health and well-being over her athletic career, allowing her to focus on managing her chronic conditions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}