Martina Navratilova has backed Emma Navarro after the American opened up about the difficult year she has experienced away from the tennis court. The 18-time Grand Slam champion publicly supported Navarro after she announced that she would miss the remainder of the 2026 season while focusing on her health and well-being.
Navarro revealed that she had gained weight during the season but said the change had also allowed her to regain her energy and enjoy life outside tennis. The American explained that she now has enough energy to train and compete as hard as she wants while also having time to laugh, be spontaneous and spend time with the people she cares about.
The decision comes after a season in which Navarro still produced some of the best results of her career. She won the Strasbourg WTA 500 title, reached the final in Nottingham and made the US Open quarterfinals, but ultimately decided that stepping away from competition was necessary as she works on her well-being.
Navarro puts her well-being before tennis
Navarro will miss the Asian swing and does not plan to return to the WTA Tour until the Australian swing in 2027. Her announcement focused less on the results she had achieved and more on changing her priorities, making clear that her appearance mattered far less to her than having the energy and well-being to live normally.
"So yeah. I gained some weight this year. But I also gained my life back. I have enough energy to seize every day, to train or compete as hard as I want, and to live a life outside of tennis," the former world No. 8 wrote. "To laugh, to be curious, to be spontaneous, to spend time with the people I care about, to feel joy, hope and positivity, and to appreciate the incredible gift of life."
Navarro also said the experience had changed the way she viewed weight and appearance, rejecting the idea that being leaner should come at the expense of her health.
"And 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."
The American's decision comes after a strong US Open campaign, where she reached the quarterfinals before losing to Jessica Pegula. Looking back on the run, Navarro said she was proud of what she had achieved and felt encouraged about what could come next.
"Yeah, I think when I put things into perspective, which is hard to do not that long after coming off the court -- yeah, if you had told me at the beginning of this year that I would be making a quarterfinal run in a Grand Slam, I'd be pretty happy with that," Navarro said.
Good luck Emma!!! Take care of your SELF first:), pulling for you! https://t.co/PqGvKqktHP
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 30, 2026
Navratilova sends message of support
Navratilova responded directly to Navarro's announcement on social media, backing the American's decision to put herself first and take time away from competition. "Good luck Emma!!! Take care of your SELF first:), pulling for you!" Navratilova wrote.
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Navarro has confirmed that she will spend the remainder of 2026 working on her medication and fueling protocols before targeting a return in Australia next year.
"All that being said, 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% again. I will not be competing in Asia this year, but I plan to be back on the road starting in Australia 2027."
For now, Navarro's season is over. Her next target is not another tournament or ranking milestone, but a return to competition on her own terms in 2027.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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