Zheng Qinwen has just announced that she is withdrawing from the Australian Open due to her ongoing elbow issue.
The Chinese, who had arthroscopic surgery on her eight elbow in July, played only one more tournament in the rest of 2025 before shutting down her season.
For the start of 2026, Zheng opted not to play any tournaments in the first two weeks so she could give herself more time before kicking off her year in Melbourne. But while the 2024 Australian Open finalist's recovery is progressing well, she doesn't feel fit enough to compete at the Happy Slam as she fears that playing at Melbourne Park could possibly set her back.
Zheng out of the Australian Open: I have not reached my best condition yet
"After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open," the 23-year-old announced on Instagram.
"Making this decision has been incredibly difficult for me. Melbourne is my 'lucky place,' where I won my first Grand Slam main draw match and where I had my best experience. I have a special connection to this place, and I was very eager to start my new season at the Melbourne Park.
"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."
Former runner up Zheng Qinwen is OUT of the Australian Open… pic.twitter.com/PZkwmnCA4E
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 8, 2026
Zheng made four consecutive Happy Slam appearances between 2022 and 2025. After picking up back-to-back second-round exits in 2022 and 2023, the Chinese put up an outstanding run in 2024, reaching her first Grand Slam final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She was beaten by Laura Siegemund in the second round last year.
Zheng has plummeted to No. 24 in the world since surgically fixing her elbow issue.
