Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen withdrew on Monday from her home tournament in Wuhan, citing fatigue and a right shoulder injury.

Zheng became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday by defeating reigning Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final.

"I'm very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year's Wuhan Open," Zheng said in a statement released by WTA.

"Wuhan is where my tennis dream began, and the Wuhan Open is also where I made my breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level. I have always looked forward to competing in front of my hometown fans.

"Since returning from injury, however, I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past months and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup and the China Open. My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches.

"I look forward to returning to the Wuhan Open next year and stepping on to the court in my best possible form."

Andreeva also quit the Wuhan Open due to a change in schedule.

Zheng and Andreeva join a growing list of high-profile Wuhan absentees that also includes world number one Elena Rybakina, defending champion Coco Gauff and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

The Wuhan Open kicks off on Monday and ends on Sunday. (AFP/Xinhua)



Edited by Edmond Fong