Australian Open finalist confirms shock withdrawal ahead of 2026 tournament

January 8, 2026 Oliver Obel

Zheng Qinwen will not compete at the 2026 Australian Open after confirming she is not yet ready to return to full competition following elbow surgery, removing one of the recent finalists from the season’s first Grand Slam.

The Chinese star announced her decision in a social media statement after consulting her medical team, saying she had not reached the physical level she believes is required to contest a major tournament.

The Australian Open begins later this month at Melbourne Park, with qualifying rounds scheduled to start on January 12 and the main draw following shortly after. While many of the sport’s leading players are preparing for the opening Grand Slam of the year, Zheng’s absence will be a notable one.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024, when she reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. That run, combined with a runner-up finish at the WTA Finals and a gold medal in singles at the Paris Olympic Games, lifted her to a career-high world ranking of No. 4 and established her among the sport’s elite.

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Her progress was interrupted in 2025 by a persistent right elbow injury that sidelined her for much of the season. Zheng ultimately underwent arthroscopic surgery in July and was limited to just 32 matches across the year.

Her last competitive appearance came at the China Open in Beijing, where she retired from a second-round match against Linda Noskova. She later said she had entered the tournament primarily to assess how well her elbow had recovered.

Confirming her withdrawal from Melbourne, Zheng wrote:
“Hi everyone, After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open. 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 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.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their continued support and am very much looking forward to being 100% back on the court and having a strong 2026 season return.”

Zheng’s focus now turns to completing her rehabilitation and building toward a return later in the season. Tournament organisers have not yet commented on her withdrawal, but her absence alters the early landscape of the women’s draw at Melbourne Park.

Sources: Sportbible