Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen on Saturday said that she has decided to skip the United Cup mixed team tournament starting this and will kick off her 2025 season at the Australian Open next month.
Despite being beaten by Aryna Sabalenka in the final of 2024’s first major, Zheng enjoyed a successful year, claiming the Paris Olympics gold medal and WTA Tour titles in Tokyo and Palermo.
The Chinese player, who was runner-up at the Wuhan Open and the WTA Finals, competed in 68 matches this season.
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“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,” Zheng said on Instagram.
“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,” she added.
China will start its United Cup campaign in Perth against Brazil on Friday (December 27), with Gao Xinyu as its number-one women’s player.
The Australian Open will begin on January 12.
