Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Olympic Champion Zheng Withdraws from Australian Open
Zheng Qinwen, who won a gold medal in the Olympics last year, has decided not to play in the Australian Open tennis tournament this month.
She said she's not ready because she's still recovering from an injury.
Zheng had surgery on her elbow after Wimbledon and tried to come back too soon.
She's sorry to miss the big tournament but wants to make sure she's fully ready before playing again.
The Australian Open is a very important tennis event, and Zheng has done well there before, even reaching the final last year.
She's young and has plenty of time to get better and play in more big tournaments.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen withdraws from the 2026 Australian Open due to lack of physical conditioning.
Zheng underwent elbow surgery in July 2024 after Wimbledon and returned to the WTA Tour in September.
She pulled out of the China Open in Beijing after admitting she rushed her return to competitive action.
Zheng was a finalist at the Australian Open in 2024, losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
The Australian Open begins on January 18, 2026, where Zheng recorded her first Grand Slam victory.
- Who
- Zheng Qinwen, Olympic champion and former Australian Open finalist
- What
- Withdrawal from the 2026 Australian Open
- When
- Announced on Thursday, January 2026
- Where
- Paris, France
- Why
- Due to a lack of physical conditioning and not being at her best competitive condition
- Player
- Zheng Qinwen
- Event
- Australian Open 2026
- Reason for Withdrawal
- Lack of physical conditioning
- Previous Best Result
- Finalist in 2024
- Recent Surgery
- Elbow surgery in July 2024
- Olympic Achievement
- Gold medalist in Paris 2024
- Age
- 23
- Tournament Start Date
- January 18, 2026