In withdrawing from her hometown tennis tournament, Charleston’s Emma Navarro provided a glimpse into what’s behind her struggles so far this season on the WTA Tour.

Navarro, who has just a 4-9 match record this year as her ranking has plunged from a career-high No. 8 to her current No. 27, cited “health struggles” in withdrawing from the Credit One Charleston Open, which runs from March 28 to April 5 on Daniel Island.

“I’m super disappointed to not be playing the Charleston Open this year,” she said in a statement. “This tournament means so much to me, and I never take for granted the opportunity to play at home in front of my family, friends and the Charleston community, whose support is overwhelming and unconditional.

“Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some health struggles over the past year or so that I’m continuing to sort out. I am working closely with my doctors and team to feel the best I can, but I just need a bit more time in doing so. I feel optimistic that I’ll be back on court soon in the coming weeks, and I’m already looking forward to competing in Charleston next year!”

Navarro, 24, made a sensational climb up the WTA Tour rankings after winning an NCAA singles championship at Virginia and turning pro in 2022.

By September 2024, she was ranked No. 8 and had won two singles titles, with runs to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and a memorable charge to the semifinals at the 2024 U.S. Open. She was named most improved player on the WTA Tour for 2024. And in 2025, she won her second career title.

But 2026 has been a struggle for Navarro, who moved to Charleston when she was young and graduated from Ashley Hall School, where she was named the Post and Courier All-Lowcountry High School player of the year.

She won two matches at the Adelaide International in Australia to start the season but has only won two matches since then.

After losing in the first round at Indian Wells, she entered the Austin 125 to try to get some matches in but lost in the first round to No. 100-ranked Lulu Sun and then withdrew from the Miami Open. The loss to Sun was her fourth straight.

Navarro’s withdrawal moves Renata Zarazua of Mexico into the main draw.