(Photo credit score: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images)
World No. 24 Qinwen Zheng withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open on Thursday as she works her manner again following proper elbow surgical procedure.
‘After cautious analysis by my staff and following medical recommendation, sadly I shall be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open,’ Zheng wrote on Instagram.
‘Making this choice has been extremely troublesome for me. Melbourne is my ‘fortunate place,’ the place I gained my first Grand Slam principal draw match and the place I had my finest expertise. I’ve a particular connection to this place, and I used to be very keen to start out my new season on the Melbourne Park.’
A finalist on the 2024 Australian Open and 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist, Zheng underwent surgical procedure to handle ‘persistent ache’ and withdrew from the U.S. Open final summer time.
Zheng, of China, then tried to return in Beijing in September solely to retire throughout her third-round match towards Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.
‘Although my restoration is progressing properly and my offseason has gone easily, to play a Grand Slam requires gamers to take care of an excessive aggressive situation,’ Zheng stated. ‘Currently, I’ve not but reached my finest situation that I’ve set for myself.’
Zheng, 23, has gained 5 singles titles, most just lately on the Pan Pacific Open in Japan in October 2024. She nonetheless is searching for her first Grand Slam championship.
The Australian Open principal draw is slated to start Jan. 18.
–Field Level Media