Zheng withdraws from United Cup 2025

The world No 5 has decided to skip the mixed-team event to prioritise the 2025 Australian Open

Zheng Qinwen, US Open, 2024 Chryslène Caillaud / Panoramic

December 25, 2024

China’s Zheng Qinwen will not fulfill national duty at the 2025 United Cup. The world No 5 recently announced her withdrawal from the mixed-team event scheduled to run from December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025, in the Australian cities of Perth and Sydney.

Zheng made the call in order to prioritise the Australian Open, where she finished as runner-up this year—losing to Aryna Sabalenka (6-3, 6-2) in the final. The Melbourne Major will begin on January 12 next year.

“After the long season that 2024 was for me, I need a few extra weeks of rest, recovery and good training to get ready for the new season,” she announced on social media. “I had such a fantastic time at the United Cup in January of this year, and therefore will miss the event greatly. Still, I’m so excited to be back in Australia soon and I will see you all in Melbourne in a couple of weeks.”

The Chinese, who reached the quarter-finals in the previous edition of the tournament, will have representation from Gao Xinyu, Zhang Shuai, Zhang Zhizhen, Bai Yan, and Sun Fajing. They are set to lock horns with the Brazilians on the opening day in Perth.

Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the United Cup. Gao Xinyu is now the No.1 women’s player for Team China.
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 21, 2024