Qinwen Zheng admits she would’ve skipped Australian Open due to ‘some issues’ after disappointing second-round exit
Qinwen Zheng suffered a straight-set defeat to 36-year-old Laura Siegemund in the second round of the Australian Open.
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Qinwen Zheng (Image via X)
The 2025 Australian Open saw the first upset in the women’s event. Qinwen Zheng, who was aiming to become the second Chinese woman after Li Na to win the tournament, was defeated by unseeded Laura Siegemund 7-6(3), 6-3 inside John Cain Arena on Wednesday (January 15).
Zheng, who fended off Anca Todoni in the first round, was uncertain whether to play the Australian Open or not. After the match, when she was asked whether she considered playing a tournament in 2025 after the 2024 WTA Finals, Zheng revealed that some issues in her body almost forced her to skip the Australian Open, where she was the runner-up last year.
No, for me there’s no chance to play a tournament before Australian Open this year. Because the time was so rush. And I got some small issues after the WTA Finals. And I was discussing with my team if we have to come to Australian Open to play or not. And I am the one who was forcing my team to say, ‘No, I gotta come here and try to play a Slam’. So that’s the tricky situation.
Qinwen Zheng said at the press conference
The 2024 Olympic gold medalist wanted to represent China at the United Cup but withdrew from the mixed-team event to focus on rest and recovery to prepare for the Australian Open.
Laura Siegemund reaches third round of Australian Open for third time after upsetting Qinwen Zheng
Laura Siegemund has never reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam event. She has advanced to the quarterfinals once, at the 2020 French Open, but apart from the clay-court Major, she never progressed to the fourth round.
At the Australian Open, she had played at the third round before twice, in 2016 and 2023. After beating Qinwen Zheng to reach another third round in Melbourne, Siegemund revealed the mindset that helped her topple the 22-year-old.
I knew I had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose. I just told myself to swing free. She’s an amazing player. One of the best players right now. I know I can play well. I just wanted to show that to myself and make it a tough fight. Some days you just go outside and you have the ball on the racket.
Laura Siegemund said during her on-court interview
In doubles and mixed doubles, the 36-year-old is a onetime quarterfinalist in the tournament, having reached the last eight in 2024. She is playing doubles this time as well and has paired up with Beatriz Haddad Maia.
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Gouri Das
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