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Qinwen Zheng's Australian Open Decision Reshapes the Draw

Qinwen Zheng's elbow injury will have ripple effects at the 2026 Australian Open.
Pat Benson|
Qinwen Zheng reinjured her surgically repaired elbow at the China Open.
Qinwen Zheng reinjured her surgically repaired elbow at the China Open. | IMAGO / VCG

Just two years removed from her first and only Grand Slam finals appearance in Melbourne, Qinwen Zheng has pulled out of the 2026 Australian Open.

"After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately, I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open," Zheng wrote in an Instagram story.

"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 off-season 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."

After a breakout 2024 season that included a gold medal for China at the Paris Summer Olympics, a nagging elbow injury derailed Zheng's 2025 campaign.

After losing in the first round of Wimbledon, Zheng underwent surgery on her right elbow on July 18. She explained that she had been dealing with "persistent pain" in the joint "over the past months" and the procedure was a "necessary step toward a better version of myself on court."

While many fans and media expected Zheng's 2025 season to end there, she returned for the Asian Swing of the schedule, but her elbow pain flared up again. Zheng retired mid-match at the China Open and later withdrew from the Wuhan Open, the Ningbo Open, and the Toray Pan Pacific.

Novak Djokovic publicly encouraged Zheng to take her time in recovery, and build a solid physical foundation for her promising career. Perhaps, she is heeding his advice.

Either way, Zheng was once the WTA World No. 4 and has slid down to No. 24. She could have been a dark horse in the Australian Open draw, or at least a challenging early-round opponent for another top-ranked player.

In the wake of Zheng's absence, players ranked behind Zheng will move up in the draw. Paula Badosa, Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska, Sofia Kenin, and Emma Raducanu's positioning in the draw just got a tiny bit easier.

Additionally, Polina Kudermetova, previously the first alternate, will replace Zheng in the main draw. Meanwhile, Veronika Erjavec becomes the next alternate, followed by Great Britain's Katie Boulter.

 The Australian Open's main draw kicks off on Sunday, January 18. The action concludes for the women on Saturday, January 31, and the men on Sunday, February 1.

Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

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Published | Modified
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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