China’s tennis queen Zheng Qinwen to miss Australian Open
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China's Zheng Qinwen in action during her last-32 match against Czech Republic's Linda Noskova at the 2025 China Open.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING – China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the Jan 18-Feb 1 Australian Open as she continues to work her way back to full fitness after undergoing elbow surgery, the 23-year-old said on Jan 8.
The world No. 24, who reached the Melbourne final in 2024, took a break from the sport last year after opting to undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow.
She missed the US Open before returning to action at the China Open in September, where she was forced to retire from her third-round match due to pain in her elbow.
“Making this decision has been incredibly difficult for me. Melbourne is my ‘lucky place’, where I won my first Grand Slam main draw match and where I had my best experience,” Zheng said in a statement on Instagram.
“I have a special connection to this place, and I was very eager to start my new season at the Melbourne Park.”
The Australian Open was where Zheng recorded her first Grand Slam victory and also her best Grand Slam result, although she was knocked out in the second round in 2025.
She had a standout 2024 season, beating Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 to claim Olympic gold in Paris and also reaching the final of WTA Finals, losing to Coco Gauff in a deciding set tiebreak. REUTERS, AFP
