Chinese tennis star withdraws from Australian Open 2026
Chinese tennis player Qinwen Zheng, runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open, announced on Thursday that she will not take part in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, scheduled from January 18 to February 1, saying she does not feel her current form is good enough to compete in Melbourne, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.
“After a thorough evaluation with my team and following medical advice, I have unfortunately decided to withdraw from the Australian Open 2026,” said the world No. 24 on Instagram. Zheng was eliminated in the second round in Melbourne in 2025.
As reported by CE Report, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024 underwent surgery on her right elbow last July after losing in the first round at Wimbledon. She returned to the tour at the end of September at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing but was forced to retire in the third round, later admitting she had come back too early.
“Even though my recovery is progressing well and the off-season went smoothly, players need to be in top shape to compete in a Grand Slam. At the moment, my condition is not yet optimal,” said Zheng, who lost to current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 Melbourne final.
Photo: Instagram
