Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen has officially withdrawn from this week’s WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo, marking a significant absence from the competition. The 22-year-old, who has risen to world No. 7 in the rankings, announced her decision on Wednesday, citing physical exhaustion and ongoing health issues after an intense few weeks of competition. This news comes as a blow to both the tournament organizers and her fans, particularly as Zheng has become one of the biggest names in Chinese tennis, following her breakout year on the WTA Tour.
Zheng’s decision to pull out of Ningbo follows a remarkable stretch of performances in the Asian swing, where she made deep runs in two back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments—reaching the semifinals in Beijing and the finals in Wuhan. These strong showings were in part motivated by her desire to secure points for qualification to the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh. However, her recent success has also come at a physical cost. Zheng admitted to feeling worn down after competing in 10 matches over two weeks, in addition to dealing with bouts of illness and lingering injuries. Ultimately, the grueling schedule forced her to withdraw from Ningbo to focus on her recovery.
In a statement addressing her withdrawal, Zheng expressed regret for not being able to compete in front of her home fans. “I feel really sorry to withdraw from Ningbo because I really like this tournament,” she said. “But after playing the China Open and Wuhan back to back, my body has some injuries and also some sickness. See you next year, and I hope you enjoy the tournament in Ningbo.”
### A Remarkable Stretch but Signs of Fatigue
Zheng’s decision to withdraw from Ningbo did not come as a complete surprise, given the toll that recent weeks have taken on her body. Following her semifinal loss to Karolina Muchova at the China Open in Beijing on October 7th, Zheng admitted to being physically and mentally drained. Still, she pushed through to the next tournament in Wuhan, where she reached the final before falling to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a tight three-set match. Even though she battled fiercely in Wuhan, Zheng revealed afterward that she was struggling with a fever and had to take medication before the final.
“I took some pills to reduce my fever before this match. I was feeling worse yesterday. Now I’m feeling better compared to yesterday. Within two weeks, I have had a fever two times,” Zheng told reporters following the Wuhan final. “It’s really uncommon, and that was also the case in Cincinnati. I hope that I can be healthy and compete in normal conditions. This is something very challenging for me.”
Given her health struggles, Zheng had already hinted that she might withdraw from the Ningbo event. When asked about her plans after the Wuhan final, she told the media that she would need to consult her team before making a final decision. “Up till now, I am not physically 100%. I will need to be really cautious, talking to my team. Competing in Ningbo is important, but my health is also important. I need to find the balance between the two,” she explained.
### Securing WTA Finals Qualification
Despite the physical challenges, Zheng’s performances over the last few weeks have been nothing short of remarkable. Her success in both Beijing and Wuhan earned her crucial points that helped her climb from No. 9 to No. 7 in the WTA Race to the Finals, securing her a spot in the prestigious year-end event. This marks a significant milestone in her career, as she prepares to make her debut at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, which will commence on November 2nd.
Zheng had made it clear earlier in the season that one of her primary goals was to qualify for the WTA Finals. “I was really motivated to do well in China because I needed points to secure a place in the Finals,” she said. Her impressive runs in the two biggest tournaments on Chinese soil have ensured that she will compete against the world’s best players in Riyadh, a fitting end to what has been a breakthrough season.
### Time to Rest and Recover
With the WTA Finals on the horizon, Zheng now has time to rest and recover from the intense physical demands of the past few weeks. The 22-year-old knows that taking care of her health is crucial to performing at her best in Riyadh. “After this loss, I need some time to slow down, ease my mind, and think about what I really want to do. I might need to really put my mind into recovery of my body,” she said after the Wuhan final.
Zheng’s 2024 season has been a revelation, as she elevated her game to new heights. Earlier in the year, she became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final since Li Na in 2014, finishing as the runner-up at the Australian Open. She also made history by winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a crowning achievement for both her and her country. Along the way, Zheng reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world, firmly establishing herself as one of the top players in the sport.
### Looking Ahead to Riyadh and Beyond
While she won’t be competing in Ningbo, all eyes will be on Zheng as she heads to Riyadh for her WTA Finals debut. Although she may not be considered the top favorite, her recent performances have shown that she is capable of competing with the best. Zheng remains focused on giving her all in Riyadh, but she also wants to manage expectations. “It’s hard to say when surprises will come because tennis is very unpredictable. I think the fans should relax and not put their hopes too high. We shall see each match from a normal perspective,” she advised.
Regardless of the outcome in Riyadh, 2024 has been a season to remember for Zheng Qinwen. Her resilience, determination, and talent have earned her a place among the elite in women’s tennis, and with continued focus on her health and recovery, she is poised for even greater success in the future. As her fans eagerly await her return to the court, Zheng will undoubtedly be ready to close out her brilliant season on a high note.