Zheng Qinwen will not participate in the upcoming Australian Open as she continues her recovery from a right elbow injury. The 23-year-old athlete announced her difficult decision on social media, stating that despite her progress, she has not yet achieved the competitive condition necessary for a Grand Slam event.
“I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself,” Zheng said in her statement on January 4, 2025. She referred to Melbourne as her “lucky place,” where she achieved significant milestones, including her first Grand Slam main draw victory in 2024.
Zheng faced considerable challenges in 2025, playing only 32 matches due to her elbow injury. She underwent arthroscopic surgery in July 2024 following a first-round loss at Wimbledon and made her return to the court in September during the China Open in Beijing. However, her comeback was cut short when she had to retire from her second match against Czechia’s Linda Nosková. At that time, she expressed the need to evaluate the recovery of her elbow.
A standout performance in 2024 saw Zheng reach the finals of the Australian Open, where she finished as the runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka. This achievement marked the start of a remarkable year that catapulted her into the spotlight. Zheng also secured gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating the heavily favored Iga Świątek in the semifinals, and reached four additional finals, including the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As the Australian Open singles main draws commence on January 18, 2025, the tournament will see Aryna Sabalenka defending her women’s title, while Jannik Sinner holds the men’s championship. Zheng’s withdrawal is a reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis, particularly at the Grand Slam level, where athletes must be in peak condition to compete effectively.
Zheng’s commitment to her health and recovery exemplifies the challenges athletes face in balancing competitive aspirations with their physical well-being.
