Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen has officially withdrawn from both the Wuhan Open and the Ningbo Open, marking a significant setback in her 2025 season and dashing the hopes of legions of home fans who had eagerly anticipated her return to the court. The 22-year-old, who captured Olympic gold in Paris just last year, has been grappling with a stubborn elbow injury that required surgery in July. Despite a determined effort to make a comeback during the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, Zheng’s body simply wasn’t ready to meet the demands of top-level competition.
The drama unfolded in Beijing, where Zheng made her first tournament appearance since Wimbledon at the China Open. After a promising start, she squared off against Linda Noskova in the third round on October 1, 2025. The match was a tense, three-set battle, but trouble struck in the deciding set. Down 0-3, Zheng called for a medical timeout to address discomfort in her surgically repaired right elbow. A brief consultation with the physio did little to ease her pain, and moments later, she made the difficult decision to retire from the match.
“I need to double-check with the MRI to see how it’s going after two matches,” Zheng told reporters in Beijing, her voice tinged with disappointment. “I said this before the match. I’m not playing at 100 percent. I’m playing with pain, but the pain should be manageable.” According to Zheng, she entered the China Open primarily "to assess the recovery level of (her) elbow," not expecting to be at her best so soon after surgery.
The injury forced Zheng to withdraw from the Wuhan Open, her hometown tournament, scheduled to begin on October 6. The news was a gut punch for Chinese tennis fans and tournament organizers alike. Zheng, who currently sits at world No. 9, had been runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Wuhan final and was seen as a strong contender to go one step further this year. Instead, she was replaced in the draw by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maniero, with the main draw set to be conducted on October 4 at 4 pm local time.
In a heartfelt video message posted by the Wuhan tournament, Zheng addressed her supporters directly: “Since last year’s Wuhan Open final, I’ve been looking forward to returning to my hometown and playing my best tennis in front of you all. Unfortunately, my body hasn’t fully recovered to its best shape. After consulting doctors and discussing with my team, I sadly have to withdraw from this year’s Wuhan Open. Special thanks to all fans for your support, especially those from my hometown. Every cheer motivates me to push forward. See you at next year’s Wuhan Open. Thank you, goodbye.”
The setbacks didn’t stop there. Zheng also announced her withdrawal from the Ningbo Open, a WTA 500-level event running from October 13 to 19. In a similar video shared by the tournament’s official social media, she expressed her regret and hope to return in the future: “Hey, everyone, this is Zheng Qinwen. After talking with my doctor and discussing with my team, I’m really sorry to say I have to pull out of this year’s Ningbo Open. I really hope to be back in Ningbo next year. Wishing this year’s tournament a great success. Thanks for all your support and concern.”
Zheng’s abrupt exit from two major home tournaments has cast uncertainty over the remainder of her 2025 season, including her potential qualification for the WTA Finals. Her current record stands at 20-12, and she has yet to claim a title this year. The withdrawal is especially painful given her momentum coming off the Olympic gold and a runner-up finish in Wuhan last season. The Chinese tennis community, still buzzing from her recent successes, had been hoping to see her build on those achievements during this crucial stretch of the calendar.
The reaction from fans has been one of disappointment but also deep empathy. Social media channels for both the Wuhan and Ningbo tournaments have been flooded with messages wishing Zheng a speedy recovery. The Ningbo Open’s official account posted, “We know how much she means to Chinese fans and we’ll be cheering for her recovery every step of the way. Get well soon, Queenwen.”
Adding another layer to the story, Zheng’s post-match press conference in Beijing drew some criticism. She voiced strong opposition to calls for a shorter tennis season, stating, “The strongest players survive.” This stance stands in sharp contrast to the opinions of other top players like Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, who have advocated for fewer mandatory events to protect athletes’ health. Zheng’s remarks have sparked a lively debate among fans and pundits about the demands of the modern tennis calendar and the physical toll it takes on even the sport’s fittest competitors.
Meanwhile, the Wuhan Open will still feature a star-studded field. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off her fourth Grand Slam win in New York, is set to defend her title after skipping the China Open due to a minor injury. Sabalenka, a three-time champion in Wuhan, will be joined by other top seeds including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, the latter of whom is coming off a semifinal run in Beijing. The main draw kicks off Monday, October 6, promising high-stakes action even in Zheng’s absence.
As for Zheng, her immediate plans are focused on recovery and reassessment. She has emphasized that she will not rush her return, mindful that her long-term career must take precedence over short-term gains. “I have to consider a longer professional career,” she told reporters, underscoring her commitment to coming back stronger and healthier, whenever that may be.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Zheng Qinwen as she undergoes further medical evaluation and rehabilitation. Whether she will compete again in 2025 remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: her resilience and the unwavering support of her fans will be key ingredients in her eventual comeback. For now, the spotlight in Wuhan shifts to Sabalenka and the rest of the WTA’s elite, as the tournament presses on without its hometown hero.
As the Wuhan Open gets underway and the Ningbo Open looms on the horizon, all eyes in Chinese tennis remain fixed on Zheng’s recovery. Her journey back to full fitness may take time, but her determination and the passion of her supporters suggest that this is far from the last chapter in her remarkable career.
