Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the United Cup mixed-teams tournament, saying she will instead to focus on preparing for the Australian Open.

Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen will kick off her 2025 season at the Grand Slam next month after deciding to skip the United Cup mixed team tournament starting this week, the 22-year-old said.

Zheng Qinwen has made a scheduling change for the start of the 2025 season as the Chinese tennis star won't play at the United Cup leading up to the Australian Open. After making her debut at the event last season, the world No. 5 agreed to represent her nation in Australia once again.

Olympic gold medallist had been expected to play in team event starting in Perth this week, her spot will now be taken by Gao Xinyu.

Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen will skip the United Cup mixed-teams tournament in what she believes will give her the best preparation for the first grand slam of 2025. World No.5 Zheng lost the 2024 Australian Open final to Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2,

WTA World No.5 Qinwen Zheng announced on Instagram that she has pulled out of the tournament. Zheng wrote, "Hi everyone, just a qu