Zheng Qinwen Exits Australian Open After Upset Loss to Laura Siegemund

In a surprising turn of events at the Australian Open, China's Zheng Qinwen faced an unexpected defeat against Germany's Laura Siegemund, finishing the match with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the second round. The encounter lasted for 2 hours and 16 minutes and included Zheng hitting 11 aces; however, she only secured 28 service points, while Siegemund managed to claim 44.

Zheng, who had a remarkable 2024 season, including winning Olympic gold and three WTA titles, entered the 2025 tournament without any competitive matches leading up to it. She explained that her late offseason training was a decision made to ensure her body had adequate time to recover following the WTA Finals in November 2024. Despite her team recommending that she focus on recovering fully, Zheng was determined to participate in the Grand Slam event.

During the match, Zheng dealt with ongoing physical issues, noting that she was still feeling the effects of an injury, particularly with her elbow. She expressed her hope for a swift recovery but acknowledged that her lack of preparation affected her performance during the match.

A notable moment in the match came when Zheng received a controversial penalty for a second serve during the second set, which left her visibly emotional and sparked a lengthy dialogue with the chair umpire. She claimed she had difficulty seeing the serve clock due to the net's position, which contributed to her temporary loss of concentration. Despite these distractions, Zheng maintained that they were not an excuse for her defeat.

Acknowledging her different circumstances from the previous year's Australian Open, where she was a finalist, Zheng reflected on the role of health in her athletic performance. She emphasized the need to prioritize recovery, realizing that without health, it is challenging to perform at an optimal level. Her exit marks the first time a top-eight seeded female player has been eliminated from the tournament. Meanwhile, the Australian Open featured a record participation of 11 Chinese players, with a few still remaining in contention as the tournament progresses.