Tennis

China’s No. 1 Seed Qinwen Zheng Withdraws From United Cup

Author photo
By
wendioliveros
Author photo
wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

Get to know wendioliveros better
Sports Editor

Published21 Dec 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. While our content features sponsored links, from which we may earn a commission, this does not influence our recommendations.

Olympic champion and the top Chinese-ranked tennis player Qinwen Zheng withdrew from the United Cup.  The United Cup is a t 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.

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.

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.