Overview
- Zheng will face Elena Rybakina in an exhibition at Rod Laver Arena on January 13 before entering the AO 1 Point Slam on January 14.
- She has not entered any WTA tune-ups in the first two weeks of 2026, with reports noting she was the only top-30 player absent from those fields.
- The AO 1 Point Slam features one-point, sudden-death matches with serve decided by rock, paper, scissors and a A$1 million winner’s prize.
- Event organizers list a high-profile field that includes Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and other stars alongside community qualifiers.
- Zheng, who last competed in late September and then shut down her season, has said she will extend recovery and resume intensive training only when fully ready.