Tennis fans have unfortunately seen very little of Emma Navarro this spring. It was especially concerning when she withdrew from her home tournament, the Charleston Open.
At the time, Navarro explained that she was dealing with physical issues and needed additional time away to continue her recovery.
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Navarro never specified what those issues were, but many suspected they could be autoimmune-related.
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Navarro’s quiet return
She was one of several players ousted early from the Italian Open who elected to play the Paris WTA 125 Challenger event.
Navarro won one match before losing to fellow American Katie Volynets in the Round of 16 last week.
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Confidence-building win over Bejlek
In her opening match at the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, Navarro defeated this year’s Abu Dhabi Open champion, Sara Bejlek, with ease, 6-1, 6-4.
Next round poses big test
Her next match will be the best test of her return. She will face Iva Jovic. The two Americans have never played each other.
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Navarro was a quarterfinalist last year in Strasbourg. Fans are hoping that Navarro gains her confidence amid solid match play leading into the summer.
The former World No. 8 has two career WTA titles (both on hardcourts) and was voted the WTA’s Most Improved Player of the Year in 2024.