Olympic champion Zheng out of Australian Open / Photo: Pedro Pardo - AFP
-
Teatro Mayor Unveils 152-Performance 2027 Season Highlighting Beethoven and García Márquez
-
The Dilemma of Recording Live Music: Preserving Memories vs. Being Present
-
Rutgers Defeats NJIT 101-64 Behind Francis and Mark Scores
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces Publication of Updated Investor Presentation
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Proposed Spin-Out of Non-Tungsten Projects
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - November 11
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces New Critical Mineral Recoveries Expand Potential
-
6 Pieces of Furniture Worth Investing In
-
Thukukile Zuma Resigns from ANC Johannesburg Leadership Amid Disciplinary Dispute
-
Russia Orders 100,000 Kometa Modules to Counter Ukrainian Electronic Warfare
-
CM Mohan Yadav Meets Bohra Spiritual Leader to Discuss Simhastha 2028 and Development
-
Mahayuti-backed Rajesh Patil Elected Chairman of Gokul Dairy Amidst Political Deadlock
-
Eli Crane Defeats Jonathan Nez in Tight Arizona Congressional Race
-
David Walliams Identified as Celebrity in Sexual Misconduct Allegations After Legal Bid
Olympic champion Zheng out of Australian Open
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen announced on Thursday that she was withdrawing from the Australian Open later this month due to a lack of physical conditioning.
The Chinese player is a former finalist at the year's opening Grand Slam, losing to current world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in 2024.
Zheng underwent surgery on her elbow following a first round defeat at Wimbledon in July before returning to the WTA Tour in September.
However, she pulled out in the third round of the China Open in Beijing after admitting that she had rushed her return to competitive action.
"After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open," Zheng wrote on Instagram.
"Although my recovery is progressing well and my offseason has gone smoothly, to play a Grand Slam requires players to maintain an extreme competitive condition.
"Currently, I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself."
The Australian Open, which begins on January 18, was where Zheng recorded her first Grand Slam victory and also her best Grand Slam result, although last year she was knocked out in the second round.
The 23-year-old had a standout 2024, 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.
Y.Aukaiv--AMWN
