The team emphasized that Zheng Qinwen's withdrawal was not due to a recurrence of her elbow injury; attention should be paid to whether her physical condition matches her ambitions.

On February 15th Beijing time, right before the domestic Lunar New Year festivities, the WTA1000 Dubai tournament was about to begin when the organizers announced a sudden update: China’s leading tennis star Zheng Qinwen withdrew from the tournament owing to health issues. This was another unexpected blow shortly after her return from injury at Doha just a week earlier.

According to the official WTA statement, Zheng Qinwen’s withdrawal was attributed to “illness,” though no further details were disclosed. Her spot was taken by lucky loser Fletcher. However, her team later clarified that it was unrelated to her previous right elbow injury, pointing instead to fatigue and physical stress from continuous competition.

Nonetheless, Zheng Qinwen’s withdrawal quickly sparked heated discussion online, with public opinion sharply divided.

Among supporters, fans expressed disappointment but also understanding and encouragement. At the Doha tournament, Zheng played three consecutive three-set matches, totaling over seven hours on court, placing a heavy burden on her body. Afterward, she admitted that her right elbow was “occasionally still experiencing some setbacks” during recovery. Some fans believed that, considering the painful lesson from last year’s forced comeback at the China Open which worsened her injury, this cautious approach was wise.

User "@TennisRisingStar" commented, “It’s unfortunate, but health comes first. For athletes under long-term heavy load, staying healthy at critical moments is more important than pushing through. Hope she recovers well; there’s a long road ahead.” Another fan comforted, “Withdrawing isn’t the end; Zheng Qinwen’s fighting spirit is always alive. See you at the next tournament!”

Some fans viewed Zheng’s withdrawal as a physical response to the intense schedule and a clear career planning decision. From fighting through injury to proactively stopping, her strategy reflects a key advancement in the professionalization of Chinese tennis players—knowing when to make sacrifices and prioritizing longevity to go further.

However, critical and doubtful voices were equally loud. Since this was not Zheng Qinwen’s first last-minute withdrawal, some public opinion linked it to her history of injuries and significant commercial pressures.

One sharp comment read, “Can someone who knows explain how badly Queen is injured? Feels like she’s been resting for a long time.” Even more, some dredged up past issues, suggesting that with commercial endorsements estimated to exceed 200 million RMB, repeated “last-minute withdrawals” might be wearing down public patience while maintaining exposure.

“Withdraw again? Just a habit?” Though such sarcastic remarks were in the minority, they stood out starkly online.

Zheng Qinwen’s withdrawal caused a stir not only domestically but also attracted significant international media attention. Unlike domestic discussions focusing on commercial and popularity aspects, foreign media concentrated more on her physical condition and career prospects.

According to Tennis World, Zheng’s withdrawal casts a shadow over her promising comeback. The report highlighted her impressive 47 aces at Doha, which made many believe the powerful “Queen Wen” had returned, but her withdrawal just days later raised questions about her physical endurance. The article also expressed concern over her frequent withdrawals: does her current physical state match her ambitions? Can she still win a Grand Slam?

American sports media Sportskeeda analyzed the tournament draw and noted that with the absence of world number one Sabalenka and number two Swiatek, this Dubai event was an excellent opportunity for Zheng Qinwen to claim her first 1000-level title. However, her sudden physical issues caused her to miss this valuable chance to gain points.

Notably, when confirming the withdrawal, the WTA official website reviewed Zheng’s complicated injury history, mentioning her right elbow surgery after Wimbledon last year, missing the US Open, and the emotional breakdown in the bathroom before the Australian Open due to inability to serve. This narrative was seen as “providing background to justify the withdrawal,” aiming to steer public focus toward the athlete’s long-term health rather than short-term results.

For Zheng Qinwen, who aims to return to the world top ten, this withdrawal undoubtedly cost her a great chance to increase ranking points. Currently, she is ranked 24th. Additionally, her team revealed no changes to her upcoming schedule; barring unforeseen circumstances, she plans to compete at the WTA1000 Indian Wells event (the Sunshine Double) in early March. From Dubai to Indian Wells, she will have roughly two weeks to rest.

Whether this brief pause serves as a buffer for another “strategic retreat” or a crucial turning point to fully overcome her injury struggles remains to be seen. For Zheng Qinwen, who has experienced many ups and downs, time will provide the answer. After all, on this fiercely competitive stage, only a healthy body can support the grand ambitions of winning Grand Slams and reaching world number one.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)