Follow us on Google Discover Qinwen Zheng’s return to tour-level action after undergoing surgery on her right elbow did not go the way she would have hoped.
The world number 10 played her first match since Wimbledon at the China Open, emerging triumphant in her opening clash at the WTA 1000 event.
In the round of 32, however, Zheng was forced to retire from her bout with eventual finalist Linda Noskova, citing returning pain in her elbow, and admitting she ‘rushed back’ to matchplay.
Amid her injury struggles, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has publicly sent a message to the Chinese star.
Photo by Yanshan Zhang/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic sends a message to Qinwen Zheng amid injuries
Speaking to Youku, Djokovic said: “Well, injuries are the biggest enemy of the athlete, of any athlete from any sport, so I definitely wish her a fast recovery.
“I hope that she will be able to come back strong to the court and play the tennis that she’s played over the last couple of years.
“She has won the gold for China and played finals of Grand Slams and she has been playing on a very high level. She’s a very nice girl and we get along well.
“I think she’s got a very good game, great attitude, a good team of people around her. She’s still young, you know, so it’s important to really look at the big picture for her, not only thinking about, okay, I want to come back and play as soon as possible.
Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images
“But really see how she can create a foundation for her, for her health, for her body, for her mind for the next 10, 15 years, because she has the opportunity to play for a long time and to be very successful and hopefully win Grand Slams.
“I wish her that, and she knows that she can always reach out to me if she needs any advice or if she has questions; I’m happy to share my experience.”
Qinwen Zheng’s 2025 season results before undergoing surgery
Prior to her elbow injury in the summer, Zheng had picked up some impressive results during the 2025 WTA season.
Though the 2024 Australian Open finalist’s campaign in Melbourne ended in the second round this year, she went on to enjoy a promising clay swing.
Zheng made the semifinals of the Italian Open in May and earned a huge victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka en route, before narrowly losing to Coco Gauff in a third-set tiebreak in the final four.
She then earned her best career finish at Roland Garros, advancing to the quarterfinals in Paris before bowing out to Sabalenka.