Zheng Qinwen will not play again in 2026 after withdrawing from the Hong Kong Open, bringing an abrupt end to a season that had recently taken a remarkable turn. The Chinese star had returned to winning ways at the China Open, defeating Mirra Andreeva in the final, but another injury-related decision means she will now focus on preparing for the 2027 campaign.
The Hong Kong Open was scheduled to be her next tournament, where she was expected to be the fourth seed at the WTA 250 event. However, her withdrawal marks the third consecutive tournament she has pulled out of since winning the title in Beijing, following earlier exits from the Wuhan Open and the Japan Open in Osaka.
Zheng's decision comes after a demanding period in which she has worked to rebuild her ranking and recover the form that once made her a Grand Slam finalist. She climbed back to No. 22 in the rankings on Monday after beginning her surge outside the top 120 in late August. With only a handful of smaller tournaments remaining on the calendar, there was limited opportunity to make a significant further move before the end of the year.
The 24-year-old can now turn her attention to the Australian Open, where she reached the final in 2024. After an injury-disrupted 2025 and a challenging return to competition, her priority will be to preserve her fitness and build on the progress made in Beijing rather than risk further setbacks during the final weeks of the season.
Zheng withdraws from third consecutive tournament after China Open triumph
Zheng's first withdrawal came at the Wuhan Open, which began just one day after she defeated Andreeva in the China Open final. The quick turnaround left little recovery time after a demanding title run, and she subsequently announced that she would also miss the Japan Open in Osaka because of a shoulder injury.
Her decision to withdraw from Hong Kong extends that absence to three consecutive events. Zheng has previously endured significant fitness problems, including an elbow injury that disrupted the end of her 2025 season and eventually required surgery.
“After these last couple of long weeks, I need to listen to my body and make sure I take the proper precautions,” Zheng said in a press release. “I had been looking forward to playing in Hong Kong for the first time, having heard so many great things about the tournament. I wish everyone a successful event this year and that I can return in 2027.”
Qinwen Zheng of China speaks at a press conference after defeating Mirra Andreeva in their women's singles final match on day eleven of China Open
The recent concerns are particularly relevant given how much she has achieved when fit. Zheng reached the Australian Open final in 2024 and also advanced to the final of that year's Wuhan Open. Those results established her as one of the leading players in Chinese tennis, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted her progress and made consistency a priority.
Her latest ranking rise has nevertheless been one of the most notable developments of the closing months of 2026. Zheng was ranked No. 121 on August 30 before climbing back into the top 25 within approximately six weeks. Her China Open title and subsequent run to the quarterfinals of the US Open, where she came through qualifying, helped restore her position among the leading players.
Australian Open becomes Zheng's first major target for 2027
With her season now over, Zheng is expected to use the coming weeks to recover and prepare for the next campaign. She will arrive at the Australian Open as a seeded player, avoiding the difficult draw that can confront those outside the top 32. Melbourne is also a particularly important tournament for her, having come closer than ever to a Grand Slam title there in 2024 before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Zheng's objective for 2027 will be to return to the top 10 and establish herself as a regular contender at the biggest tournaments. At 24, she has already accumulated substantial experience at the highest level, and her recent results in Beijing and New York suggest that she remains capable of producing deep runs when her fitness allows.
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The challenge will be managing that potential without allowing physical problems to derail another season. Her decision to stop competing now sacrifices the opportunity to collect additional ranking points in 2026, but it gives her more time to address the shoulder issue and begin the next year in better condition.
After a season shaped by injury concerns and a late resurgence, Zheng will enter the offseason with renewed momentum from her China Open victory. The focus now shifts to Melbourne and whether she can turn that progress into a sustained challenge for the sport's biggest titles in 2027.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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