Zheng Qinwen withdraws again after China Open title as shoulder injury continues

Friday, 16 October 2026 at 06:30

Zheng Qinwen holding the China Open trophy.

Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from next week’s Japan Open in Osaka, extending an interrupted Asian swing following her breakthrough title at the China Open. The Chinese star is continuing to deal with a shoulder injury, marking her second consecutive withdrawal after also pulling out of the Wuhan Open earlier this week.

The latest setback comes shortly after Zheng produced one of the most demanding runs of her season in Beijing. Playing as a wild card, she won the China Open to become the first Chinese woman to lift the title, navigating four consecutive three-set matches on her way to the trophy.

Her campaign in the Chinese capital was particularly taxing, with Zheng spending 15 hours and 16 minutes on court across seven matches. That was the most time any player had spent competing at a single tournament in 2026 and the highest total recorded since Opta began tracking the statistic in 2023.

The title marked Zheng’s first WTA 1000 triumph and her first WTA Tour title since 2024. However, the physical demands of her recent schedule have now forced her to step away from competition again, leaving her immediate plans for the remainder of the Asian swing dependent on her recovery.

Zheng withdraws from Japan Open after admitting fatigue

Zheng had already withdrawn from the Wuhan Open earlier this week, explaining that her body was struggling after an intense stretch of competition. The 2024 Olympic champion had returned from injury and subsequently played at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup and the China Open, leaving little time to recover between events.

“Since returning from injury, I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past month and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup and the China Open. My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches," Zheng said in a statement according to WTA Tour.

Qinwen Zheng of China celebrates winning against Elise Mertens of Belgium (not in view) during their women's singles semi-final match on day eleven of China Open

Her withdrawal from Osaka means she will miss two consecutive tournaments during a period in which she had been building momentum. The Japan Open, a WTA 250 event, is scheduled to run from October 19 to 25. World No. 68 Ashlyn Krueger has moved into the main draw in Zheng’s absence.

The latest withdrawals come despite a remarkable improvement in Zheng’s results since the US Open. She reached the quarterfinals in New York as a qualifier and has won 14 of her last 15 matches, with her only defeat during that stretch coming against world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Nine of those 15 matches went to three sets, underlining the workload behind her recent surge.

Zheng Qinwen's China Open 2026 run

Round	Opponent	Opp. ranking	Score	Match time
R128	Han Shi (CHN)	231	7–6(6), 4–6, 6–2	2:44
R64	Anna Kalinskaya (RUS)	22	6–7(4), 6–4, 3–0 RET	2:22
R32	Marie Bouzkova (CZE)	27	7–6(3), 4–6, 7–5	2:54
R16	Alina Charaeva (ARM)	118	6–1, 2–6, 6–4	2:11
Quarter-final	Elina Svitolina (UKR)	7	6–3, 7–6(6)	1:47
Semi-final	Elise Mertens (BEL)	19	7–5, 6–2	1:32
Final	Mirra Andreeva (RUS)	5	7–5, 6–4	1:42

From China Open breakthrough to another recovery period

Zheng’s results have also transformed her position in the rankings. She entered the US Open ranked No. 121 but has climbed 98 places in less than two months to reach No. 23, reflecting the impact of her strong North American and Asian campaigns. Her China Open victory was the most significant result of that run, but the schedule required to achieve it has taken a physical toll.

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In Beijing, Zheng defeated Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, Elise Mertens in the semifinals and Mirra Andreeva in the final. All three matches formed part of a run in which she repeatedly had to recover from difficult positions and spend extended periods on court. The title demonstrated her ability to sustain a high level across a demanding draw, while also highlighting the limits of her current recovery window.

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Zheng remains scheduled to compete at next month’s Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, one of the remaining events on her calendar before the end of the season. Her participation will depend on how she responds to the shoulder problem and whether she can recover sufficiently after the latest withdrawal.

For now, the priority is likely to be regaining full fitness rather than extending a packed schedule. Zheng’s recent results have put her back among the leading stories of the Asian swing, but missing Osaka and Wuhan means she will have to interrupt that momentum. After a title run that required more than 15 hours on court, her next challenge is to return without aggravating the injury.

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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