Qinwen Zheng Withdraws from Major Tournaments
Chinese tennis sensation Qinwen Zheng has announced her withdrawal from two significant tournaments in her home country, disappointing many of her devoted fans. Renowned for her remarkable rise in the sport over the last few years, Zheng has earned an enthusiastic following, especially after her impressive performances at events like the China Open and Wuhan Open, where she notably reached the finals but fell to Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan’s last match.
Injury Struggles
Zheng’s participation at the 2025 tournaments was uncertain due to an ongoing struggle with a serious elbow injury that kept her out of various competitions in North America over the summer months. Although she managed to play at the 2025 China Open, her journey there was cut short when she had to retire during the match against Linda Noskova, who eventually became a finalist after an impressive win over Jessica Pegula, saving three match points.
Regrettably, Zheng’s injury flared up again during her match with Noskova, leading to her decision to step back from the upcoming 2025 Wuhan Open, set to commence on Monday. In a heartfelt video shared on her social media, Zheng expressed her anticipation about competing in front of her hometown crowd, yet acknowledged that her body was not fully up to the task:
“After consulting with my doctors and team, I’ve made the tough decision to withdraw from this year’s Wuhan Open.”
Future Aspirations
Adding to the disappointment, Zheng also revealed that she would not be attending the 2025 Ningbo Open, scheduled for October 13-19. In a message disseminated via the tournament’s social media, she shared her hopes for recovery and a potential return in the following year:
“I truly hope to be back in Ningbo next year. Wishing this year’s tournament a great success.”
Notably, Zheng faced earlier withdrawals, including from the Ningbo Open of the previous year due to fatigue after an intense week at the Wuhan finals.
Looking Ahead
As the tennis world watches closely, Zheng, the runner-up at last year’s WTA Finals, is tentatively listed for the 2025 Japan Open, occurring from October 20-26. However, speculation surrounds her season’s end, considering her recovery needs ahead of the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Wuhan Open will undoubtedly remain a spotlight event, especially with the return of Aryna Sabalenka, ranked No. 1 in the WTA, who has been absent since claiming victory at the US Open. Sabalenka aims to continue her winning streak at the Wuhan Open, having triumphed in the past three editions of the tournament, including a dominating semifinal win against Coco Gauff last year. Gauff, who will also participate again, will be looking to overcome her recent struggles, including a disappointing performance at the China Open. At the same time, Iga Swiatek needs to rally her efforts following an early exit at the China Open to challenge Sabalenka’s dominance before the end of the 2025 year.
Community Support
Reactions are rolling in from fans and tournament officials alike, all echoing similar sentiments wishing Zheng a swift recovery. The Ningbo Open organizers have particularly highlighted how significant Zheng is to the local community, promising that the support for her recovery remains strong.
“Get well soon, Qinwen!”
reads the tournament’s social media post, capturing the collective spirit of her fans and the tennis community at large.
