Olympic champion and the top Chinese-ranked tennis player Qinwen Zheng withdrew from the United Cup. The United Cup is a joint WTA/ATP team format tennis tournament that kicks off the season on December 27. The teams are organized by country.
Zheng had a spectacular 2024 season that was very long. She played in the WTA Finals against Coco Gauff less than six weeks ago. In addition to winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris over the summer, Zheng was the 2023 Australian Open finalist.
Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen has announced her withdrawal from the 2025 United Cup, citing the need for additional rest and preparation after a long 2024 season. Zheng has secured two significant accolades: Fan Favorite Singles and WTA 250 Best Moment winner. @WTA pic.twitter.com/bXZohM6ZGC
— National Business Daily (@NBDPress) December 22, 2024
She is skipping the United Cup to focus on her Australian Open preparation. Is it good to not have any warm-up events before jumping into the first Grand Slam of the year?
Qinwen Zheng Is World No. 5
Zheng has her eye on the Australian Open because last year’s final was her career-best finish in a Grand Slam. Aryna Sabalenka will be vying for her third straight Australian Open and is the heavy favorite.
Zheng did not have the answers for the hard-hitting and powerful serving Aryna Sabalenka last year. She is winless through five tries against Sabalenka.
14 sets played, 14 sets won, the reigning champion retains her 👑!
Queen Aryna’s second coronation caps a perfect fortnight at Melbourne Park.@SabalenkaA • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/x7639RQr84
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024
It makes sense she wants to focus on her game, but she is letting her country down at the United Cup. Former Australian Open finalists Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are planning to play.
