Overview
- The 23-year-old announced her decision on Instagram after a review with her team and doctors.
- She underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow after Wimbledon and later retired during a China Open match against Linda Nosková.
- Uzbekistan’s Polina Kudermetova is reported to move into the main draw as the alternate replacing Zheng.
- Analysts expect only a modest rankings hit of about 70 points because she had a second-round exit at last year’s Australian Open.
- The tournament begins January 18 in Melbourne, and Zheng has not set a return date.