Fila’s tennis exit? Emma Navarro poised for full Yonex switch?

Fila is struggling. A brand with a storied legacy in tennis, one that not long ago ranked among the most dominant on the WTA Tour, is steadily fading from the sport. Industry rumors suggest that even American world No. 15 Emma Navarro, currently Fila’s top WTA representative, is preparing to leave the brand, transitioning fully to Yonex, her racquet sponsor.

Founded in Italy in 1911 and now owned by a Korean conglomerate, Fila has dressed some of the biggest names in tennis history, including Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Ashleigh Barty. Its most recent peak came in 2019, when half of the players at the WTA Finals competed in Fila apparel.

Since then, however, Fila’s presence on tour has steadily declined. Over the past few seasons, its visibility has become increasingly sparse, fueling speculation that the company is reassessing its commitment to tennis altogether. That speculation has only intensified with reports that Fila is effectively taking a break from the sport and that Navarro, its most high-profile remaining athlete, is set to switch to Yonex.

According to It’s Eliza’s World, Fila exited the U.S. market in 2025, without providing a timeline for a potential return. The move followed an 11.6% drop in U.S. sales revenue in 2024 and marked the third consecutive year of losses for its North American subsidiary. The company cited a prolonged and unfavorable market environment as a key factor behind the decision.

Fila has also lost several major footholds in tennis. Its exclusive long-term partnership with the Indian Wells tournament has ended, and multiple player exits have further weakened its tour presence. Barbora Krejcikova returned to wearing Head apparel last year, Karolina Pliskova switched to Adidas in 2024, while Sofia Kenin had already moved on earlier, leaving Fila for FP Movement in early 2022. The latest rumor is that Navarro is heading toward a 360-degree deal with Yonex, which will be another significant blow to Fila’s remaining visibility at the top of the women’s game.

Whether this marks a temporary retreat or a longer-term exit remains to be seen, but for now, Fila’s era on the WTA Tour looks increasingly like a chapter coming to a close.