Richard Pagliaro | @tennisnow | Monday, July 21, 2025
Image source: Zheng Qinwen Instagram
Zheng Qinwen Withdrew from the U.S. Open.
The Olympic gold medalist’s right elbow is recovering from arthroscopy and will be eliminated as she recovers from the surgery.
French women Leolia Jeanjean Zheng’s departure entered the United States’ public major draw.
Zheng arrived at the U.S. Open quarterfinals last September and lost to the final champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The Chinese powerhouse’s rinse grass quarterfinals result was part of a strong surge that ended the season, which had three finals in the last five games of 2024 as she lost to Sabalenka in the Wuhan final, defeated Sofia Kenin, won the Tokyo title, won the Tokyo title, and won the WTA Finals the WTA Finals in Riyadh bowuff.
“For the past few months, I have been dealing with the ongoing pain in my right elbow during training and competitions. Despite trying various treatments to manage it, the discomfort and never completely disappeared,” Zheng wrote in an Instagram post on the weekend. “After consulting with the elbow specialist and having a thorough discussion with my team, we thought arthroscopy was the best option to completely solve the problem.
“Yesterday, I successfully accepted the program and I’m so happy to leave it behind.”
Zheng said she envisioned “only a short break”, but it is uncertain when the former Australian Open finalist could return.
“Now start the journey of recovery. In the next few weeks and months, I will be totally focused on recovery – doing everything I can to make everything stronger and healthier,” Zheng said. “It’s just a small break and I think it’s a necessary step to take a better version in court.”
Sixth place is in the quarterfinals or higher in six of her last eight games.
Zheng was a Roma semi-finalist, reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, while the Queens’ semi-finals bowed, and at Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova before she lost her first round at Katerina Siniakova in Wimbledon.
