Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen withdraws from season-opening United Cup, will be at Aussie Open

SYDNEY – Chinese world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen pulled out of the season-opening United Cup on Dec 22, citing the need for more rest. But she plans to be at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season that reaped three singles titles, with the highlight being winning the Olympic women’s singles gold in Paris.

She also won WTA Tour titles in Tokyo and Palermo and was runner-up at the Wuhan Open and the WTA Finals – in a season where she played 68 matches and earned US$5.6 million (S$7.6 million) in prize money.

She also made her first Grand Slam final, at Melbourne Park, losing in straight sets to current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on the back of playing the United Cup in Perth.

Zheng has opted for more rest this time, ahead of the season-opening Major from Jan 12 to 26.

“After the long season that 2024 was for me, I need a few extra weeks of rest, recovery, and good training to get ready for the new season,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I had such a fantastic time at the United Cup in January of this year, and therefore will miss the event greatly.

“Still, I’m so excited to be back in Australia soon and I will see you all in Melbourne in a couple of weeks.”

China begin their mixed-team United Cup campaign against Brazil on Dec 27 with world No.175 Gao Xinyu taking Zheng’s spot.

Meanwhile, Learner Tien defeated close friend Alex Michelsen to reach the NextGen ATP Finals title match on Dec 21 but admitted he “hated” having to face his American compatriot.

The 19-year-old left-hander, ranked 122nd in the world, came through 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1 in a semi-final which boasted newly retired tennis legend Rafael Nadal among the spectators.

“I can’t put it into words right now,” said Tien, who hit 21 winners past the 41st-ranked Michelsen.

“I am really happy with the win but I hate it against him, but that is just how it goes. I started smiling when I came out here and saw him on the other side of the net, but I am really happy to get through and think I played really well.”

Tien will face Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, the lowest-ranked player in the draw at No. 145, who eased into the final by seeing off France’s Luca van Assche 4-2, 4-2, 4-1. The result of the showpiece was not available at press time.

The 18-year-old is the second-youngest man to make the NextGen final after current world No. 1 and two-time Major winner Jannik Sinner, who took the title in 2019 when he was a few weeks younger.

The Brazilian has won all of his four matches in Jeddah, a run which included the biggest win of his career against 20th-ranked Arthur Fils of France.

“Today was a great match. I played really solidly,” said Fonseca after his one-hour victory.

“He didn’t have too many chances because I was playing so aggressively and making all the shots. There is one more match to go, and I hope I can for it.”

The final will feature the two youngest players in the eight-man field, with Fonseca having the advantage of already beating Tien in the group stage. AFP, REUTERS